The growing inflation in the price of food and a new one Avian flu crisis in the United States He led many citizens to seek unexpected solutions. One of them, increasingly popular, is the rental of chickens to produce eggs at home.
Frustrated by high costs and rationing in supermarkets, Yong-Mi Kima 52 -year -old university professor resident in La Crescenta, Californiahe decided to join this trend. “I know people who have chickens, but they demand a lot of work. It seemed to rent them was a good way to start,” he explained.
The initiative is not new. The project “Rent the Chickn” (rent the chicken) It was launched more than a decade ago in Pennsylvania by Jenn and Phil Tompkinsand is currently present in some 40 American cities through a network of local farmers. However, in recent months, its popularity has shot.
“From the pandemic we have seen more interest than normal, but this year was even greater. The increase has been between three and four times compared to last year,” he said Victoria Leewho manages the operation in the Los Angeles region from its farm in fresh water.
“Rent the chicken” offers packages for six months which include between two and four chickens, food, drinking fountains and feeders, a care guide and one Mobile chicken coopwhich allows you to easily transfer birds through the garden.
This portable chicken coop is a small fenced and wheel structure, which protects predator chickens and allows them access to fresh grass every day. “The idea is to move it daily to have new stimuli, insects and areas to dig, without the need for much space,” Lee explained.
The basic package costs between 500 and 1000 dollarsdepending on the region. With two chickens, a family can get even 14 eggs per weekaccording to company estimates.
Avian crisis and rising prices
The rise of this service coincides with a strong rise in the price of eggs. During the peak of the health crisis, The price of a dozen exceeded 10 dollarswhen it is normally located between 3 and 5 dollars. In March 2025prices uploaded a 1.2% monthly and a 60.4% year -on -yearaccording to the US Department of Agriculture
Although raising chickens at home does not necessarily reduce costswho do it value the quality and freshness of eggs. “Supermarket eggs have between 48 and 60 days when they reach the gondolas. Over time, their protein breaks down. Instead, home eggs can be collected the same day,” Lee explained.
Source: Ambito
