US Secretary of Agriculture Urges Backyard Chicken Farming Amid Rising Egg Prices

In response to soaring egg prices, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins has suggested that Americans consider raising their own chickens. This recommendation comes as egg prices have dramatically increased, reaching as high as $14 per dozen in some areas due to a bird flu outbreak that has led to the culling of over 166 million chickens since early 2022. Rollins announced a $1 billion strategy to combat the crisis, which includes funding for biosecurity measures and financial relief for affected farmers, but acknowledged that prices may take three to six months to stabilize. Critics, including Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, have mocked the suggestion, calling it an inadequate solution to the problem. Despite the criticism, Rollins defended the idea as a practical way for families to ensure food security. The ongoing situation has sparked a trend of companies offering rental chickens to those interested in raising poultry without a long-term commitment.