Rising egg prices prompt some consumers to explore a new solution: renting chickens.

 As egg prices soar due to avian flu, more consumers are turning to a chicken rental service for a solution.

Feb. 6, 2025, 9:04 PM GMT+6 

The economic forces of supply and demand continue to influence egg prices.

The ongoing avian flu outbreak has led to the culling of millions of egg-laying hens to curb the disease's spread, resulting in lower egg supply and rising prices.

This persistent issue, according to Texas A&M livestock economist David Anderson, is far from over. "This began in 2022, and it keeps resurfacing," Anderson explained. "While there are some breaks in between, the outbreaks keep coming."

In response, some consumers are finding a unique solution: Rent the Chicken.

"We deliver a chicken coop with two to four egg-laying hens to a customer's backyard. Two hens produce about a dozen eggs a week, while four can yield about two dozen," said Homestead Jenn Tompkins, co-founder of Rent the Chicken. "This season mirrors what we saw in 2023, during the last avian flu wave."

However, Tompkins notes that customers are often more interested in the peace of mind the service provides rather than simply saving money. "It's less about the soaring cost of eggs and more about knowing you have a steady supply when grocery shelves are bare," she explained.

Founded in 2013 near Pittsburgh, Rent the Chicken partners with farmers across the U.S. and Canada to offer six-month rentals. Interest in the service tends to spike during bird flu outbreaks, such as in 2022, when egg prices saw a significant rise—reminiscent of a similar surge in 2015.

"Egg prices soared to record highs over $5 per dozen at the wholesale level, and when the disease passed, prices dropped," Anderson said. "But this time, rather than disappearing for years, the outbreaks keep coming back."

Anderson expects egg prices to set new records before summer, noting the market’s volatility. For instance, in 2022, wholesale prices briefly topped $5 per dozen before dropping to 84 cents by May.

"As prices rise, consumers buy fewer eggs, which naturally helps lower the cost," Anderson said. "That's how markets work—prices send a signal that reduce demand and bring prices back down."

For those in North Texas thinking about starting a backyard chicken operation, Rent the Chicken currently doesn’t have local farm partners. The nearest service is in Austin, requiring a trip to pick up the hens and coop.