Although backyard chickens have no problem eating off the ground, feed bowls make it easier to measure out portions. Millie a black-and-white Barred Plymouth Rock, noshes with Shadow, a Black Australorp, and Buffy, a Buff Orpington. Bob Wieland/The Farmersville Times

The last time the price of eggs spiked was during the COVID-19 epidemic as demand outstripped supply. That was partly because of demand by panic buying – the same people were probably stockpiling toilet paper – and supply chain shortages caused by the sickness of production workers.

The current supply shortage resulted from outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza type H5N1, or bird flu. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reports more than 100 million chickens have died from bird flu or have been euthanized since the outbreak began in 2022. That number includes both commercial and backyard flocks across the country.

Accordingly, the wholesale price of large eggs has ranged this month from $7.64 to $9.17 per dozen, depending on the region of the U.S.

In response to the pandemic, we decided to raise a flock of backyard hens to ensure a steady supply of eggs for our family at a reasonable price. 

Choosing which chickens to buy took some research to find breeds that would be good egg layers while hardy enough to survive 100-plus Texas summers and sub-freezing winters.

So, we settled on Leghorns, white chickens that lay white eggs, along with three breeds that lay brown eggs: Barred Plymouth Rocks, Black Australorps and Buff Orpingtons. Each was about $3.

We placed the order in February 2021, and we received them a few weeks later in a cardboard box. Chicks are shipped right after hatching and can go several days without food or water.

The U.S. Postal Service has been delivering live chickens since 1918, so there was no problem getting them. But the postage cost more than the birds and is now $75. 

Most cities allow a certain number of hens per residence, but not roosters, and with certain restrictions.

Within weeks, the chicks began to seek someplace to roost, so we placed a low stool in their enclosure. 

As the weather warmed up, we bought a wooden chicken coop kit from Tractor Supply and assembled it in the back yard. The directions were simple, and the only tool required was a screwdriver. It came unpainted so we painted it to match our house.

At the time we bought it, the coop was about $350, but the price is now double that amount. 

We had two white Leghorns, one Black Australorp, one Barred Plymouth Rock and one Buff Orpington. Two of the chickens were named after my wife’s great aunts, Ethel and Millie. Our granddaughter named two hens Cloud and Shadow, and the Orpington is known as Buffy. 

As for eggs, it takes up to six months before a hen lays. Eggs are smaller at first but become larger as the chickens mature.

We got our first egg in August 2021 and estimated it cost about $500. That included the chickens, coop, feed, supplements and other accessories.

The Leghorns were our best layers and could produce one egg per day when not ill or molting, or about 300 per year. 

The other hens laid at least every other day, so we suddenly had a huge surplus of eggs and the price per egg continued to drop to nearly zero. 

The average lifespan of a chicken is three to 15 years, depending on the breed, and they generally lay for three to four years. We now have three chickens left and Shadow still produces a medium brown egg every two to three days.

Even without producing eggs, chickens are interesting pets. They come running for treats or curiously follow you around the yard when you are gardening.

One thing to remember is the increased threat of avian influenza spread by wild birds, so make sure the chickens’ feed and water does not attract visitors.

We’re now looking to replace our flock with five new chicks to be delivered in June. The older hens will go to live with our daughter and granddaughter.

Before investing in your own flock, check with your local animal control department for specific regulations and take one of the chicken tenders education courses offered by local farm supply stores.

There are many resources for information about raising backyard chickens including mypetchicken.com; mannapro.com; Tractor Supply in Wylie, Lucas and Princeton and Wells Brothers Pet, Lawn and Garden Supply in Plano.

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By Bob Wieland | [email protected]