Locals take interest in chicken coops as egg prices skyrocket

Egg prices have risen dramatically over the past year, thanks to the avian bird flu.

Now, local chicken groups say they are seeing more interested parties wanting to own coops.

Not everyone can own chickens in their backyard, but more and more municipalities are allowing them. You can even have a chicken coop in Chicago!

Now, due to prices at the grocery store, more and more people are curious about adding a small flock to their family.

Facebook groups like "Chicago Chicken Enthusiasts" are growing in popularity. This is while egg prices are way up — thanks to a wave of avian bird flu last year that wiped out 44 million birds.

In November, the cost of a dozen eggs was $3.59, compared to a year ago it was only $1.72.

"Especially now with the prices of eggs, if you can get a coop that isn't super expensive and a run area, then it really will help offset your grocery cost," said Erin Blackburn, chicken owner and administrator of the "Chicago Chicken Enthusiasts" social page.

"All the advice is free. We believe it's something that should be available to anybody."

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So obviously the upfront cost is there. You can find a chicken coop for as little as $200, and others are thousands of dollars.

"You can have a very simple coop as long as it keeps the chickens safe from predators, dry and draft free," said Blackburn, who owns several chickens in the northern suburbs.

The chickens themselves are not expensive — a chick is about $7 and a hen is about $25.

Independent Chicken Enthusiast Jennifer Murtoff says chickens are cheap in the beginning.

"If you're expecting to get chickens to save money, probably not going to happen. But with the price of eggs going up and if you eat a lot of eggs, that could rebalance this, this cost calculation," said Murtoff of Home to Roost LLC.

She said not all municipalities allow backyard chickens. They are often afraid of the noise, smell, filth, and disease.

Murtoff tells FOX 32 Chicago that hens are quieter than dogs, and smells and diseases are generally not an issue. Plus, chickens teach kids where their food comes from, they make rich compost, eat bugs and small rodents, and provide entertainment!

"Some people have told me it's better than watching television," said Murtoff.