Price of chickens skyrocketing!

[Zeeb]

Here on Maui where we have chickens running wild everywhere the price of egg laying hens has doubled and tripled on Craigslist and other sites. I usually get my RIR and Comet hens for $15-$25 but I notice people are selling them for $50-$75 now. Some are bringing in a few hundred chicks from the mainland and selling them $10-15 each. I notice they sell out immediately. More people are moving towards self-sufficiency during these uncertain times. What better way than growing or raising your own food. Not only do my chickens provide a daily supply of eggs but they offer bug control, tillage and during this pandemic when I'm "stuck" at home they provide great entertainment!

 

[Shadrach]

Here on Maui where we have chickens running wild everywhere the price of egg laying hens has doubled and tripled on Craigslist and other sites. I usually get my RIR and Comet hens for $15-$25 but I notice people are selling them for $50-$75 now. Some are bringing in a few hundred chicks from the mainland and selling them $10-15 each. I notice they sell out immediately. More people are moving towards self-sufficiency during these uncertain times. What better way than growing or raising your own food. Not only do my chickens provide a daily supply of eggs but they offer bug control, tillage and during this pandemic when I'm "stuck" at home they provide great entertainment!

Most of these people are in for a terrible shock. It takes an awful lot more than a handful of chickens to be self sufficient. They would be better off catching a pair of the feral chickens and letting them breed rather than buying breeds like RIR and Comets.
Unfortunately this delusion regarding self sufficiency is just going to mean more chicken suffering.

 

[Zeeb]

Yes I agree it does take a lot more than raising chickens to be self sufficient but for some it's a start. Here in Haiku, Maui we have many farmers and people living off the grid. I think to some people buying chickens during this pandemic is a panic reaction kind of like buying cases of toilet paper and hand soap many of our stores have been sold out of both for months!

 

[EverythingDucks]

Most of these people are in for a terrible shock. It takes an awful lot more than a handful of chickens to be self sufficient. They would be better off catching a pair of the feral chickens and letting them breed rather than buying breeds like RIR and Comets.
Unfortunately this delusion regarding self sufficiency is just going to mean more chicken suffering.

True. I've noticed a lot of people getting pets recently as well. Ducks and chickens for a bit of self sufficiency. But, also lots of people are getting dogs, cats, and rabbits. I worry that they're just getting pets out of boredom and not doing any research. (I'll try my best not to rant lol), I worry that because of this they aren't getting the proper care though. At least the shelters are being cleared out but still. I've always gotten so worried when I see some little kids taking horrible care of tiny little teacup puppies, and baby rabbits. It's gotten to the point that I have anxiety attacks..... Oop, this is off topic. Welp, sorry for ranting so much lol

 

[Zeeb]

True. I've noticed a lot of people getting pets recently as well. Ducks and chickens for a bit of self sufficiency. But, also lots of people are getting dogs, cats, and rabbits. I worry that they're just getting pets out of boredom and not doing any research. (I'll try my best not to rant lol), I worry that because of this they aren't getting the proper care though. At least the shelters are being cleared out but still. I've always gotten so worried when I see some little kids taking horrible care of tiny little teacup puppies, and baby rabbits. It's gotten to the point that I have anxiety attacks..... Oop, this is off topic. Welp, sorry for ranting so much lol

I totally agree with you, right now during this pandemic people have extra time on their hands and "feel" they can devote time to caring for animals. Just think of all the attention chickens, dogs, cats, and other animals are getting right now. I know for me I'm out with my chickens 5 or more times a day they are very entertaining during this "lockdown", When things get back to some sort of normalcy many of these animals will be cast aside, ignored, or neglected.

 

[EverythingDucks]

I totally agree with you, right now during this pandemic people have extra time on their hands and "feel" they can devote time to caring for animals. Just think of all the attention chickens, dogs, cats, and other animals are getting right now. I know for me I'm out with my chickens 5 or more times a day they are very entertaining during this "lockdown", When things get back to some sort of normalcy many of these animals will be cast aside, ignored, or neglected.

Also, a lot of people aren't in a good finance position too. And, dogs aren't getting socialization and none of the training classes are open

 

[Zeeb]

OMG yes lots of people are out of jobs here since our main economy is tourism!! I'm sure it's that way across the U.S. Raising animals can be very expensive! I suppose many are using their government checks to buy pets/animals and feed/supplies, however it's only temporary (for most people).

 

[Jayrenw]

Here on Maui where we have chickens running wild everywhere the price of egg laying hens has doubled and tripled on Craigslist and other sites. I usually get my RIR and Comet hens for $15-$25 but I notice people are selling them for $50-$75 now. Some are bringing in a few hundred chicks from the mainland and selling them $10-15 each. I notice they sell out immediately. More people are moving towards self-sufficiency during these uncertain times. What better way than growing or raising your own food. Not only do my chickens provide a daily supply of eggs but they offer bug control, tillage and during this pandemic when I'm "stuck" at home they provide great entertainment!

So expensive here! I just bought 11 chicks for $100!

 

[Zeeb]

I asked my son to get 1 or 2 hens to keep my hen company since her two sisters got killed by a dog. Instead he got 12 chicks. I thought maybe I'll raise them until about 4-5 months old and sell some of them, hens go for $50 each and $12-15 each for chicks. I don't want this many chickens. I keep them as pets and to provide eggs for my husband and I. Chicken food is very expensive here and I don't want that many eggs every week.

 

[CapricornFarm]

I asked my son to get 1 or 2 hens to keep my hen company since her two sisters got killed by a dog. Instead he got 12 chicks. I thought maybe I'll raise them until about 4-5 months old and sell some of them, hens go for $50 each and $12-15 each for chicks. I don't want this many chickens. I keep them as pets and to provide eggs for my husband and I. Chicken food is very expensive here and I don't want that many eggs every week.

If you can free range during the day they eat less feed.