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Due to high egg prices in the USA, backyard rental hens are booming. There are special all-inclusive packages available for this.
Due to the high egg prices in the USA, the renting of hens in one's own backyard is booming. There are special all-inclusive packages available for renting chickens.
More and more people in the USA are renting laying hens in order to ensure their own supply. This is because the staple food item is expensive in supermarkets and even being rationed. There are specialized providers for these rental chickens, offering all-inclusive packages that include a coop and feed. This turns the backyard into a mini farm. What makes it particularly attractive is that if one loses interest in backyard farming or simply doesn't enjoy the hobby, they can easily return the poultry. $12 for 12 eggs: egg crisis in the USA continues.
According to The Business Times, renting chickens in the USA has been around for quite some time. It started about ten years ago in Pennsylvania when a farming couple launched "Rent The Chicken." Since then, the project has expanded to over 40 cities across North America, with local farmers establishing their own branches. Interest in renting chickens has skyrocketed, especially during the Corona pandemic. With the egg crisis, a new peak has been reached for renting chickens. Americans have had to pay over $10 for a dozen eggs, up to three times the usual price. In March, eggs were 60% more expensive than the previous year, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Additionally, supermarkets limited the number of egg cartons a buyer could purchase per day.
Victoria Lee from Agua Dulce supplies the Los Angeles region from her farm. She estimates that this year, interest has been three to four times higher than at the same time last year. "Rent the Chicken" offers various options, with prices ranging from around $500 to over $1,000 for six months, depending on the location and the number of desired chickens, as explained by The Business Times. The packages include laying hens, feed, waterers, feeders, additional treats, and a care guide for the animals. Additionally, a mobile chicken coop is provided - essentially all-inclusive. However, Victoria Lee also informs her renters that keeping chickens in the backyard is not necessarily cheaper than buying eggs at the supermarket. This is a misconception that the farmer often has to clarify to her customers. It's more about the quality of the food.
With material from The Business Times, AFP/glomex
