When Orchards Feed received its first batch of chicks last week, they sold out by the end of the day. The store expects its next delivery to sell just as fast.
Rising egg prices and frequently empty shelves at grocery stores have led many to turn to raising their own egg-laying hens.
On its Facebook page, Orchards Feed owner Loren Carlson said there has been a rush by the general public to buy chickens directly from hatcheries.
“Both of the ones we buy from got so overrun that their websites and phone systems crashed, and stock have been depleted almost overnight,” Carlson said in a Tuesday post.
Because of the surging demand, the store learned its order had been bumped. Carlson expects the next shipment to arrive March 1, with 275 chicks expected the week of March 19 and 450 the week of March 26.
“Just so we are clear … these are chicks, not full-grown chickens. No, they will not lay eggs within a week of purchase and no, they will not solve the economic egg crisis by the end of the month,” he said in a second Facebook post. “However, they will add a fun addition to your life, will eat bugs out of your yard, produce eggs when they are ready, become loyal pets and bring laughs.”
Wilco Farm Stores also sell chicks. But when the east Vancouver store’s shipment arrived Feb. 1, the chicks there quickly sold out, as well.
Seeing a spike in interest, the store posted information to its website in January about the pros and cons of raising chickens, the initial and ongoing expenses, and tips for keeping animals safe and healthy.
Financial investment
Wilco and other experts point out that your chickens will need somewhere to live. Allowing them to roam the neighborhood will not only make them susceptible to predation but will likely annoy your neighbors. The cost for a coop or hen house can range from $200 or $300 to more than $1,000. Do-it-yourself plans can be found online and are much more affordable.
You will also need feeders and a watering system. As your flock reaches maturity, you will likely need larger feeders.
You’ll also have to decide whether you want to start with chicks, pullets or adult hens. Chicks typically cost $3 or $4 each, but they will need extra supplies. They also have a higher mortality rate than older animals. Determining the sex of chicks is only about 90 percent accurate, so don’t be surprised if you end up with a rooster in the mix. It generally takes four to six months before chicks mature and begin laying eggs.
Pullets, young hens less than a year old, are a bit more expensive at $15 to $25 each but are easier to raise and begin laying eggs sooner. They are a good option for beginners.
Mature hens are the easiest to raise with no long wait necessary before you start getting eggs. But that convenience is built into the cost. The price for hens can range from $20 to $30 for commonly available breeds or as much as $200 or more for specialty breeds. Hens may need a few days to get settled into their new home.
Bird flu
Outbreaks of avian influenza, or bird flu, can pose a significant risk for backyard flocks. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has reported cases of the highly contagious virus across the country. The agency recommends separating chickens from disease sources, including wildlife and wild birds; keeping poultry areas and equipment clean; separating new or returning birds from your flock for at least 30 days; and avoid sharing equipment with neighbors.
Before you invest in chickens, feed, supplements, a chicken coop, pen and watering system, check your local municipal code to see what is allowed in your neighborhood. Chickens are allowed in residential areas throughout Clark County, but rules can vary slightly from city to city.
For example, peacocks and roosters are prohibited within Vancouver city limits, but only roosters are prohibited in Battle Ground. In Ridgefield, residents can have up to five hens while Vancouver does not have a maximum number of allowed animals.
John Scukanec, code enforcement officer for Vancouver, said no matter the number of chickens kept, residents must still abide by other sections of the city’s municipal code including sections mandating appropriate care — meaning food, water, shelter and health care, prevention of cruelty to animals, commercial operations, and animal waste and noise control restrictions.
