Pandemic hatches chicken farming hobby

Jonathan Kruger '24

The pandemic brought about many new hobbies for people looking for something to do. Some city dwellers began to raise chickens for their eggs.

Jonathan Kruger ’24, Staff Reporter
October 31, 2021

Since the beginning of quarantine, chicken sales have taken flight as cooped up city people turned to raising chickens for their eggs.

People such as Sam Blber have been building chicken coops in their backyards. He said, “I got these chickens mainly as a backyard activity, but the eggs are a plus.”

The surge in chicken coops around the city is largely attributed to the boredom that quarantine brings and the free eggs that they provide.

Raising chickens is said to be good for one’s physical and mental health as the eggs are full of nutrients and taking care of the birds can create a calming effect on caregivers. (Jonathan Kruger ’24 )

Eggs purchased in the grocery store can cost anywhere from $2.50 to $5 a dozen, depending on the variety, brand, and where they are purchased.

“The eggs are quite good and I feel that they are healthier than store-bought ones,” said Sam Blber. Fresh eggs are in fact healthier than store-bought eggs, as they have more protein and nutrients.

Sam Philips ’24, who has owned chickens for five years, said, “Owning chickens is not that hard. All that you need to do to take care of them is leave out food and water.”

“I feed my chickens these pellets that I buy by the bucket. It has a hole in the bottom and the chickens just peck at it and food comes out. It is really easy. I have to replace it like once every few months,” said Sam Blber

Even in the city, dangers lurk around every corner. “I had seven chickens but some raccoons broke in and killed three of them,” said Blber.

Because of the threat of wildlife killing the chickens, people have to keep them in pens. These pens have a place for them to sleep, eat, and many different nests to make sure that they lay eggs.

An interesting fact is that to convince the chicken to lay eggs the owner typically puts a fake stone egg in the nest. This makes the chicken more comfortable with laying a constant amount of eggs.

Blber said, “I would recommend having chickens in your backyard. They are quite a lot of fun and the fact that they lay really good eggs is a huge plus to me.”