US, bird flu "sickens" the market - The spread of the disease drives demand for renting chickens
The outbreak of bird flu in the US has driven up egg prices and emptied shelves, sparking a sharp increase in demand for chicken rental services. These services allow consumers to rent a flock of chickens for a set period, ensuring a steady supply of fresh eggs.
The surge in demand comes as more grocery stores in the U.S. are imposing restrictions on egg purchases and retailers nationwide struggle to manage tight supplies.
The average price of 12 eggs has risen sharply, according to data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. As of February 7, the price stands at $7.34. Furthermore, the U.S. Department of Labor reported a 55 percent year-over-year increase in egg prices in January 2025.
In this situation, a new trend of renting chickens has taken shape. In some regions, consumers can rent chickens from specialized companies, which promise an expected yield of eight to 14 fresh eggs per week from each one.
"Our online requests have been met more than ever, people are very interested in having chickens in their backyard for fresh eggs. Then they don't have to worry about the price of eggs in the store. We've been through this before and the price of eggs always goes down. But it takes time, as it takes 4-6 months for a chick to grow and start laying eggs," said Jenn Tompkins, owner and operator of "Rent The Chicken," a chicken rental service.
The Department of Agriculture predicts that egg prices will increase by about 20 percent in 2025, significantly exceeding the projected 2.2 percent increase for food in general. Prices in December 2024 were already 36.8 percent higher than a year earlier, according to official data.
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