Chickens or eggs? A homegrown source?

MILLERTON —  Some people may want baby chicks because they’re cute and cuddly, and are a reminder that spring (and Easter) are right around the corner. Others, however, may be tired of paying top dollar for eggs.

Prices are at an all-time high, and many feel that having their own flock of chickens may help put this important staple on the table without breaking the bank or spending the grandkids’ college funds.

If one is curious as to why eggs have become so expensive, there is more than one answer. An outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, is most likely the main reason. It is highly contagious and often fatal to chickens. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, about 57 million birds have been affected by it since February 2022.

Once a flock is infected or exposed to the flu, it has to be culled; accordingly, 44 million egg-laying hens in the U.S. were put down, greatly reducing the number of eggs produced. It can take up to four or five months for new, healthy hens to begin laying after the facilities have been cleaned, sanitized and restocked. Then they may begin laying possibly 24 eggs per month per hen at peak production.

The virus affected the U.S., and many of the areas the U.S. trades with or buys from, including Canada, Europe and South America.

The bird flu is not the only culprit in all this; add to it the lingering effects of COVID-19 on the trucking industry, the increasing cost of fuel, and higher feed and packaging costs. Much of the world’s grain comes from Ukraine, and  last month marked the one-year anniversary of the continuing Russian attack on Ukraine.

One solution to rising egg costs? Many are flocking to Agway, Tractor Supply and other sources to start their own flocks. It seems easy; build (or buy) a coop, provide water, feed, and start collecting eggs. But it’s not as easy as it sounds.

Millerton resident James Schultz said that while it can be a great experience, it is not easy, nor is it inexpensive. He and his wife, Katja, along with their three children, have been raising chickens since 2018.

There were some lessons learned the hard way as they became more proficient. They became regulars at Village meetings, because neighbors often didn’t appreciate some of the aspects of chicken-raising, although the Schultzes were considerate in their endeavors, never having roosters, keeping their area clean, and trying to be mindful of their fellow residents.

They learned to put wire fencing beneath the coop so predators can’t dig their way in to the hens, and enclosed the coop because of flying predators like hawks and owls.  That’s not even taking into account raccoons, foxes, dogs and more. Said Schultz, “Roosters are noisy, but they’re also fierce, and will lay down their lives for the hens. Without roosters, the human is responsible for keeping their flocks safe.”

Schultz and his family, including cat Buddy, like hanging out with the chickens. “They are very social,” he said. “Not just the group, but Chicken A may have a relationship with Chicken B, and also with chickens C and D.” Anyone who has had chickens can attest to the fact that they do have different personalities.

By state law, one cannot purchase fewer than six chicks, but the maximum number allowed varies according to the municipality; Millerton caps the number of chickens one can own at six, so keeping the number at six can be a problem when you have to replace some of your hens.

You have to buy six, so what do you do with the extras?  There is also the factor that when feed costs go up for commercial businesses, they also go up for the small-home flock owner.

As the shortage of hens and eggs improves, egg prices may go down, but another avian flu outbreak could start the whole process over again. Agway in Millerton and Tractor Supply in Amenia are expecting brisk sales of chicks. On Thursday, Feb. 23, Tractor Supply welcomed a variety of biddies or chicks; Cornish hens, Rhode Island Reds, Americana, ducks and Broad Breasted White turkeys.

Prices vary from $2.89 for the Cornish hens to $6.99 for ducks and turkeys. They are nestled in aluminum tubs in the back of the store under heating lamps.

Agway produced a chicken list, and it’s first come, first served according to Kristen Maillet, who works at Agway and is also a chicken owner. Last year the store had between 100 and 200 birds; this year, it is planning on probably selling double that.

Its list includes a March 22 shipment, April 5, April 12 and April 26 shipments, with several different varieties listed.

Among the attributes Maillet finds in chickens are their propensity for eating insects. When buying chicks, the sex can’t be determined, although Maillet said about 99% of the chicks turn out to be females.

Some stores have limited the number of eggs one customer can buy; and the prices are still double what they were a year ago, but hopefully things are looking up.

In the meantime, raising your own chickens and gathering up multicolored, multi-sized fresh eggs might be the answer. If not, hoping for a spring with less avian flu and a decrease in other costs may help to bring the price of eggs down.