With cases of bird flu spiking across the United States, the subsequent egg shortage has left many Americans scrambling to keep the fridge stocked.
The solution for many shoppers has been going straight to the source — by acquiring a chicken.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, 159 flocks tested positive for bird flu in the last 30 days.
With a limited quantity of eggs available, the USDA predicted that egg prices will rise up to 20% in 2025.
Rent The Chicken, which was founded in 2013, strives to “provide people a chance to try out having backyard hens for fresh eggs without the long-term commitment,” according to co-founder Jenn Tompkins. Tompkins said customers will see a dozen eggs per week with two hens, or about two dozen with four hens.
With shortages and price hikes caused by the spate of bird flu in many states, Tompkins said the company’s phones are “ringing off the hook.”
In most regions, Tompkins said prices start at around $500 for a five- to six-month rental period. This one-time fee for most standard packages includes two hens, a coop, food and instruction book.
While it may not be cheaper than buying eggs at the grocery store — it amounts to spending roughly $20 per week for eggs, without factoring in the upkeep — renting a chicken will provide food security and minimize stress when eggs are scarce, said Joe Defrancesco, who started to rent out his chickens at Farmer Joe’s Gardens in Northford, Connecticut, five years ago.
Those interested in the prospect of renting chickens should consider the fact that bringing the birds home involves a chance of exposure to bird flu, which domesticated birds can contract from infected wild birds, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.