STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. (PIX11) — With egg prices soaring at grocery stores, some New Yorkers are finding creative ways to save like one local man who built a chicken coop in his backyard.
Egg prices are soaring nationwide with some local retailers charging as much as $13.99 for a dozen.
As New Yorkers grapple with these rising costs, Staten Island resident Tommy Lane has found a solution — his very own chicken coop at home to ensure a steady supply of fresh eggs.
“With the prices of everything going up and everything we decided that we wanted to start raising chickens,” Lane said. “A few people that I work with, they had chickens. They brought in the fresh eggs and really, once you’ve had a fresh egg you can’t go back to the store-bought eggs. They’re so much better.”
Last spring as inflation drove food costs higher, Lane took matters into his own hands — building a backyard chicken coop to help feed his family of five while cutting down on egg expenses. Now with the ongoing bird flu outbreak further driving up prices, he says his decision has become even more valuable. He estimates that raising his own chickens saves him around $120 each month. He owns four chickens that produce about one egg per hen each day.
“I have them every morning,” said Lane. “Every morning we wake up, the kids come out. They get the four eggs, they bring them in. We can eat them for breakfast. We can put them in whatever we have. I don’t have to worry about any egg shortages. They’re always here for me.”
According to the American Egg Board, the farming industry has lost nearly 50 million hens in the past year to the bird flu — just 14 million in the past month alone. NYU Professor Joe Foudy says a solution may take time.
“I do expect relief will come. We’ve seen in the past that, first of all, these epidemics come and go and then people respond to the higher prices by increasing supply,” Foudy said. “Our problem is that could still be several months away.”
Meanwhile, some stores are experiencing an egg-buyer frenzy leaving shelves nearly empty. Some grocery stores now posting signs imposing purchase limits on the amount of eggs a customer can buy. As egg prices remain unpredictable, Lane suggests anyone with the space at home to consider building their own chicken coop as well.
“Doesn’t take much room,” said Lane. “Doesn’t take much time. I would recommend growing eggs and you don’t have to worry about it again.”
Lane said he takes extra precautions to keep his small flock isolated, hoping to prevent any potential outbreak of bird flu. According to New York City regulations, residents are allowed to keep hens as pets but not roosters.
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