Why buy eggs when you can rent the hens? Americans turn to chicken rentals as prices soar and backyards go farm-style
LA CRESCENTA (United States), May 3 — Stung by the rocketing price of eggs — and US supermarkets rationing a basic breakfast staple — Yong-mi Kim decided to get some chickens to secure her own supply in southern California.
While many people idly muse about backyard farming, for those not ready to take the plunge permanently, there's a solution: renting a henhouse, complete with egg-laying birds.
'I really want to try it out and see whether I like it or not,' the Los Angeles-area resident told AFP as she took delivery of two chickens and all the equipment they need to live a happy egg-laying life.
'Some people I know have chickens at home, but it's a lot of work for them — they had to adjust the whole garden themselves.
'So, I think renting a chicken is a good start.'
Hiring hens began to gain ground in the United States around a decade ago in Pennsylvania when a farming couple set up 'Rent The Chicken'.
Since then, the project has expanded to more than 40 cities across North America, with local farmers setting up their own offshoots.
The service saw an uptick in interest during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when people were stuck at home.
The 'Rent The Chicken' service comes with a portable chicken coop. — AFP pic
But it has skyrocketed in recent months as consumers quail over the soaring cost of eggs, thanks to a bird flu pandemic that has seen the wholesale culling of egg-laying birds.
'Especially this year, we have had a much higher interest, I would say, three to four times as much as we were seeing this time last year,' said Victoria Lee, who serves the Los Angeles region from her farm in Agua Dulce.
Some Americans have been forking over more than US$10 for a dozen eggs, up to three times their usual price, with supermarkets putting daily limits on the number of cartons a shopper can buy.
The eyewatering costs were a regular feature of last year's presidential campaign, with US President Donald Trump pledging to lower grocery bills when he got to the White House.
But prices have continued to climb, and in March eggs were 60 per cent more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Lee is quick to point out, however, that raising chickens at home is not cheaper than buying eggs at the store.
Instead, it's a question of quality.
'By the time they get to the grocery store (eggs) are on average 48-60 days old,' she said.
'As eggs sit, no matter the quality at the start of that countdown, over time, the protein in the eggs begins to break down.'
Backyard eggs, in contrast, are only as old as however long it took the owner to pick them up off the henhouse floor.
'Free eggs!'
'Rent the Chicken' offers different options that range from around US$500 to over US$1,000 for six months, depending on location and number of birds desired.
Packages include the birds, food, waterers and feeders, additional treats and a chicken care guide.
But it is the included coop that is most striking — a sort of mini house with what looks like a patio, completely protected by fences.
It's also moveable, thanks to wheels on the bottom.
'Every day, our renters will lift this up... and move it forward... with the chickens having access to fresh grass each day.
'They're getting the experience of being on wide-open pasture with that new stimulation, new bugs to look for, new grass to dig through, while still being safe in a predator-proof coop.'
The convenience is what made the package attractive to Kim, a university professor living in La Crescenta, near Los Angeles, and when her new coop arrived, she was absolutely thrilled.
In March eggs were 60 per cent more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. — AFP pic
'Free eggs!' Lee exclaimed while unloading the new backyard tenants and handing over a complimentary dozen laid the previous week.
A client with two chickens can expect up to 14 eggs per week, Lee explains.
Kim, whose son is an athlete who eats a lot of eggs, says although the supply crisis prompted her to rent the chickens, it's 'bigger than that.'
'I really wanted to have something for the kids, also to learn as a way of life, and to compare the taste of the eggs,' she said. — AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
A-GC denies flawed prosecution in Najib's second SRC case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has dismissed as baseless allegations that it carried out a 'flawed prosecution' in the second SRC International Sdn Bhd case involving Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. In a statement, the AGC reiterated its firm commitment to upholding the rule of law and stated that it would continue to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Constitution with integrity, fairness and respect for the judicial process. However, the AGC acknowledged the decision by High Court Judge K Muniandy to grant Najib a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on three charges of money laundering involving RM27 million in funds from the company. 'The case was registered in the High Court on Feb 7, 2019, and scheduled for trial on five occasions: June 2020, July to August 2021, March to April 2022, September 2024 and April to May 2025. 'However, all trial dates were postponed due to the Movement Control Order caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, requests by the defence, or applications by the prosecution itself,' the statement read. According to the statement, the prosecution's requests for postponement were due to the ongoing trial of the first SRC case, which proceeded at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court until its completion on March 31, 2023. At the same time, the trial proceedings for the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case had also begun while the first SRC case was still ongoing. 'Both cases involved overlapping material documents required for the second SRC trial. 'As these documents were critical to the second SRC case, the prosecution had no choice but to wait until they were available, which was until the 1MDB trial proceedings were completed. 'It must be emphasised that the material documents are available but are currently being used as evidence in the ongoing 1MDB trial,' the AGC said. The AGC further stated that the prosecution had requested additional time to gather all relevant material documents to be presented as evidence in the second SRC trial. 'This delay was not intentional but was to ensure the integrity of the documents as evidence in the trial is preserved,' the statement read. Earlier today, Judge Muniandy, in granting Najib a DNAA on the three charges, stated that the case had been pending for six years since 2019, without any witness testimony being presented, having faced multiple postponements, which indicated that the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the trial. On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering by accepting illegal proceeds amounting to RM27 million through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan on July 8, 2014. The former Pekan MP was charged under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which is punishable by a maximum fine of RM5 million or imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction. Najib is currently serving a jail term in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million in the SRC International funds case. On Sept 2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon, which led to the Pardons Board halving his jail term from 12 to six years and reducing the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million on Jan 29, 2024.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- The Sun
AGC rejects claims of ‘flawed prosecution' after Najib's DNAA in second SRC case
KUALA LUMPUR: The Attorney General's Chambers (AGC) has dismissed as baseless allegations that it carried out a 'flawed prosecution' in the second SRC International Sdn Bhd case involving Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak. In a statement, the AGC reiterated its firm commitment to upholding the rule of law and stated that it would continue to fulfill its responsibilities under the Federal Constitution with integrity, fairness and respect for the judicial process. However, the AGC acknowledged the decision by High Court Judge K Muniandy to grant Najib a discharge not amounting to an acquittal (DNAA) on three charges of money laundering involving RM27 million in funds from the company. 'The case was registered in the High Court on Feb 7, 2019, and scheduled for trial on five occasions: June 2020, July to August 2021, March to April 2022, September 2024 and April to May 2025. 'However, all trial dates were postponed due to the Movement Control Order caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, requests by the defence, or applications by the prosecution itself,' the statement read. According to the statement, the prosecution's requests for postponement were due to the ongoing trial of the first SRC case, which proceeded at the High Court, Court of Appeal and Federal Court until its completion on March 31, 2023. At the same time, the trial proceedings for the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) case had also begun while the first SRC case was still ongoing. 'Both cases involved overlapping material documents required for the second SRC trial. 'As these documents were critical to the second SRC case, the prosecution had no choice but to wait until they were available, which was until the 1MDB trial proceedings were completed. 'It must be emphasised that the material documents are available but are currently being used as evidence in the ongoing 1MDB trial,' the AGC said. The AGC further stated that the prosecution had requested additional time to gather all relevant material documents to be presented as evidence in the second SRC trial. 'This delay was not intentional but was to ensure the integrity of the documents as evidence in the trial is preserved,' the statement read. Earlier today, Judge Muniandy, in granting Najib a DNAA on the three charges, stated that the case had been pending for six years since 2019, without any witness testimony being presented, having faced multiple postponements, which indicated that the prosecution was not ready to proceed with the trial. On Feb 3, 2019, Najib claimed trial to three charges of money laundering by accepting illegal proceeds amounting to RM27 million through his three AmPrivate Banking accounts at AmIslamic Bank Berhad, AmBank Group Building, Jalan Raja Chulan on July 8, 2014. The former Pekan MP was charged under Section 4 (1) (a) of the Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorism Financing Act 2001, which is punishable by a maximum fine of RM5 million or imprisonment of up to five years, or both upon conviction. Najib is currently serving a jail term in Kajang Prison for the misappropriation of RM42 million in the SRC International funds case. On Sept 2, 2022, he filed a petition for a royal pardon, which led to the Pardons Board halving his jail term from 12 to six years and reducing the fine from RM210 million to RM50 million on Jan 29, 2024.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
Cambodia Airways' inaugural flight to Penang on June 26
KUALA LUMPUR: Cambodia Airways is set to launch its inaugural flight from Phnom Penh to Penang on June 26, further enhancing bilateral ties between Malaysia and Cambodia, particularly in the tourism sector. Tourism, Arts and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Tiong King Sing announced the new route during a dinner with industry players in Cambodia yesterday, held in conjunction with efforts to promote Visit Malaysia Year 2026 (VM2026). He said Cambodia Airways' new route would operate twice a week, on Thursdays and Sundays, using an Airbus A319 aircraft with a capacity of 150 seats. 'This is a significant achievement in efforts to enhance connectivity between the two countries, create more opportunities for cooperation in tourism, business and cultural exchange, and support the VM2026 campaign. 'At the same time, I'm calling on Cambodia Airways to increase the number of direct flights,' he said in a Facebook post today. Tiong said during the event, he also emphasised the importance of strengthening Malaysia-Cambodia ties, particularly in the tourism, arts and culture sectors, as both nations are members of ASEAN. 'Tourism remains a key driver of economic growth, cultural exchange and community empowerment. As the world recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, a clear and effective strategy is essential to achieve the desired outcomes for the benefit of the people of both countries,' he said. Tiong noted that Malaysia's diversity extends beyond its culture to its landscapes and travel experiences, each offering something unique to every traveller. He also invited industry players and investors in Cambodia, including policymakers, to forge partnerships, open more air routes, offer attractive travel packages and facilitate easier visa access for travellers. Earlier, Tiong paid a courtesy call on Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, during which they discussed, among other things, opportunities to enhance tourism cooperation between the two countries.
