The Pandemic’s Urban Farmers

At the start of the pandemic, many people who were stuck at home and bored picked up hobbies that they might not have otherwise had the opportunity to pursue. I have friends who started to knit, crochet, and needlepoint, there was the ubiquitous sourdough bread-baking fad, me, I started playing pickleball, and some people, well, they decided to become urban farmers and adopt chickens!

It’s true, back in July CNN.com ran an article about skyrocketing sales of chickens and chicken accessories such as coops. According to the piece, “sales of backyard chicken coops have skyrocketed since the start of the pandemic, said Traci Torres, CEO of My Pet Chicken. In March, sales were up by 325%. By April, 525%.” That is quite the uptick in chicken home purchases!

The article goes on to explain that the initial impetus for many chicken adoptions was the grocery shortage at the outset of the pandemic. People worried that they would not be able to purchase eggs and meat, so having a full henhouse in the backyard was a solution to that problem – particularly because chickens can potentially lay an egg each and every day! In fact, the family featured in the CNN.com piece said that they have too many fresh eggs and are sharing them with their very happy neighbors.

Click here to check out the CNN.com piece. Did you or do you know anyone who adopted chickens for the pandemic? If so, please let me know how you like your new pets!