Egg-stravagant solution? Raising chickens unlikely to ease burden on egg prices
As egg prices rise many are looking to raise their own chickens, but experienced chicken farmers say it is ultimately an impractical and more costly solution.
According to the Consumer Price Index provided by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the cost of a dozen large, grade A eggs rose to approximately $5.90 in February. That’s nearly a dollar higher than the previous month, and up from about $3 a dozen in February 2024.
Eighty Four resident Kristan Marchewka has been raising chickens since 2017, and ran “Roos and Bawks Consultants” to help anyone who was looking to start their own backyard chicken farm. She also helps run a private Facebook group for chicken owners.
“What we’re seeing across the country, across chicken forums and different help pages … We are seeing inexperienced people coming in and buying out chicks,” Marchewka said.
For personal reasons Marchewka no longer operates Roos and Bawks, and currently isn’t adding any more chickens to her flock.
Marchewka notes that most hens don’t start laying eggs until they are 5 months old, and certain breeds can take up to eight or nine months. Sometimes people buy breeds that aren’t meant to lay eggs at all.
“They didn’t realize they bought meat birds. A meat bird is completely different,” Marchewka said. “Those birds reach full maturity in six to eight weeks.”
These birds are bred in such a way they grow massive breast muscles, and, obviously, are meant to be consumed.
“The lack of education out there as to the type of breeds is definitely going to be causing a problem,” Marchewka said.
Alyssa Fulmer is also an administrator on the private chicken Facebook group with Marchewka. She currently does not have any chickens at her Burgettstown farm, but has other livestock, including ducks.
According to Fulmer, the rush to buy chickens has driven up the price of the birds.
“Last year, you could get chicks all the way as cheap for a quarter a piece. Now they are anywhere from $4 to $8 apiece. Then you have to raise them for six to nine months before they start laying,” Fulmer said. “By the time you get your first egg, you’re already $3,000 in just for the chickens and feed.”
Fulmer says she sees people on social media who get chicks without knowing the extent of equipment and responsibility required.
“Definitely research everything. Everything that could go wrong, medicine, if you prefer to have a vet,” Fulmer said.
Making sure you have done your research and know what you are getting into is an important point for Jason Ellis. He owns a 100-acre farm in Greensboro, Greene County.
He is more than happy to share his knowledge with people seeking advice, but often has to warn people about the realities of raising chickens.
“People say, ‘I got my first $3,000 egg,'” Ellis said.
According to Ellis, if you buy chicks now, you shouldn’t expect to get eggs until September.
Sometimes people come looking to buy a fully grown, egg-laying chicken, and are surprised at the price.
“Then I tell them go and do it yourself, buy equipment, and let me know how much that $15 chicken sounds to you,” Ellis said.
People getting in on the chicken-raising trend has also made it difficult for those looking to buy chicks at stores like Tractor Supply or Rural King, as Jon Fish can attest.
He started his backyard chicken farm in Eighty Four about five years ago. Each year Fish tries to get six or eight chickens, as hens slow down or stop laying eggs as they get older. This year he has struggled to source them.
“They are empty everywhere. The people at the supply stores will tell you, within a half- hour they are wiped out,” Fish said. “It’s like the PlayStation thing, or toilet paper and Clorox wipes during COVID.”
That was also the experience for Kristi Miller, of Houston, who received her first six chicks last week.
Miller has been looking into raising chickens for a few years. To get chicks at Rural King, she said she had to get there early and take a number. Miller was at the store before it opened at 7 a.m.
“There were already three or four people standing outside. Oh, my gosh, this is the Black Friday of chickens. I love me some Black Friday sales, but this is crazy,” Miller said.
Raising chickens is something that Miller had researched for a while, and wanted to do to help her children learn how to care for animals, and have fresh eggs for baked goods.
Like others, Miller said it is not a path to cheaper eggs.
“You’re not going to save much,” Miller said.
For the first several weeks, the chicks will need to live in your house. You need equipment like a heat lamp, as well as food and bedding. For that stage Miller spent about $100. They also need a coop and a run once they start to live outside.
“I bought a small coop. It was around $300. I’m a DIYer in regards to these chickens. I already had a garden. I’m going to rewire my garden into the run,” Miller said. She notes she saw some larger, Amish-built coops going for as much as $1,500.
Ultimately, there is a fair amount of time, money and work that goes into raising chickens.
“They need care and shelter. They are quite emotional. They are flock animals: They need a group to be with,” Marchewka said. “If you think you’re going to get free eggs, they will be the most expensive eggs you ever purchased. It does not outweigh the increase in eggs.”