GREENVILLE, S.C.  – The surge in egg prices nationwide has prompted many people to explore alternative options, such as raising backyard chickens, in an effort to combat the rising costs.
“We’ve received several hundred this week. Chicks have always been a popular item for us come springtime,” said Tony Hollifield, the president and owner of Piedmont Farm and Garden Supply in South Carolina.
The dual factors of chick season and the skyrocketing prices of eggs are keeping Hollifield occupied, as many people are now considering hatching their own eggs to mitigate the financial strain.
“We are saving money by purchasing chicks, raising them ourselves, and producing our own eggs while also using everything to fertilize our garden,” said David Gautier.
Gautier has been involved in raising chickens with his mother for roughly ten years. He explains that the high cost of eggs is still making an impact on his household.
“It has had a huge impact. We eat eggs every day. It’s something we do on a daily basis,” Gautier shared.
Hollifield noted that the increasing demand for both eggs and chicks is causing some logistical issues with supplies.
“There’s been such a huge national demand for chicks, we’ve had some challenges with the shipments. We weren’t expecting them to arrive today,” Hollifield said.
By 1 p.m. Wednesday, Piedmont Farm and Garden Supply had roughly 100 chicks available for sale. By 5 p.m., they were all gone.
Coleman Farm Supply is also experiencing heightened interest in chicks. Last week, they received 400 chicks, which sold out within just a few days.
However, Hollifield cautions that while backyard chickens may be adorable, they require significant care and attention.
“It takes about 18 to 20 weeks for a chick to start laying eggs, so don’t expect to get a chick today and have eggs within a month. It takes some time,” he explained.
Both stores have announced that they will be receiving regular shipments of chicks until the end of May. They also provide essential supplies and are available to educate customers on how to care for their new poultry.
{Matzav.com}