New Mexicans scramble for solutions to combat rising egg prices
VALENCIA COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) – The price of eggs has New Mexicans scrambling, which is why some people are turning to backyard chickens to avoid further sticker shock at the grocery store.
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The current price of eggs sits at about $8 a dozen, which is why baby chicks are in high demand at stores like Tractor Supply. Some people have been waiting up to 5 hours to buy them.
The Tractor Supply store in Bosque Farms is seeing an uptick in calls and foot traffic. People are in search of chicks. The store received over 300 chicks on Wednesday morning and people were lined up for hours. 'Everybody's interested this year. Last year, you know, you had your loyal farmers. This year, everybody's doing it,' said Brenda Aragon, store manager of Tractor Supply at Bosque Farms.
Staff members are hearing from customers who are trying their hand at making their own chicken coops or expanding their existing coops. 'Well, it is the price, the price of eggs. You know, how much is it a dozen? I haven't bought eggs in a while, but it's really pricey. So that's the main thing. People want eggs,' continued Aragon.
But staff and customers alike say, starting your own backyard flock isn't for the faint of heart, 'Well before you go to the store and buy them you need to understand it takes maintenance. You need to clean up after them. You need to feed them water them, and of course collect the eggs, you know,' emphasized Gregorio Luca of Belen.
They say backyard flocks are an investment and require a lot of attention, especially in their first few weeks of life. 'Not only is it money, but it's also time. You know, you've got to love your chickens. Go outside, hang with them, play some music, and so that way you'll have lots of eggs,' shared Aragon.
And for those doing it for the cost savings, it's important to note, the initial setup for a backyard coop starts around $500. 'These chicks are going to take eight to nine months before they start even laying eggs,'
That's why the store recommends that people do their research before coming in.
With cases of avian flu reported recently in Bernalillo County, the staff is also offering education to chicken owners on how to keep their flocks safe.
The store's manager said this is only the beginning with two more months left of chick season.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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