Latest news with #RentTheChicken
Newsweek
06-05-2025
- Health
- Newsweek
Backyard Chickens Responsible for Latest Salmonella Outbreak: What To Know
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Backyard flocks are being blamed for the latest Salmonella outbreak in the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). There have been seven total cases across six states, the CDC said in a press release Monday. Poultry—including chickens, ducks and their eggs—can carry the bacteria that leads to nausea, diarrhea, and abdominal cramps. Why It Matters The bird flu has already wiped out chickens throughout the nation, leading to soaring egg prices. According to Trading Economics, they peaked in early March at $8.17 a dozen before tipping back down to $3.32 just a month later, on May 6. Many Americans, already grappling with high grocery prices that President Donald Trump vowed to eliminate during his second term, have been trying to avoid the sticker shock by stocking their own flocks in their backyard or buying from chicken owners, but bird flu and salmonella still hold a risk for home grown birds. What To Know The cases the CDC is currently investigating occurred in Florida, Wisconsin, Illinois, South Dakota, Utah, and Missouri, which has two cases. The CDC said those cases likely count towards a larger outbreak, as many people recover without medical intervention. Chickens exit the barn where they were laying eggs on the farm where they are raised as part of the "Rent The Chicken" service in Agua Dulce, California, on April 21, 2025. Chickens exit the barn where they were laying eggs on the farm where they are raised as part of the "Rent The Chicken" service in Agua Dulce, California, on April 21, 2025. PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images Salmonella is a bacterium that settles in human and animal intestinal tracts. It spreads through touch, which is a critical part of owning chickens and picking out their eggs. Symptoms include abdominal cramps, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea which can become severe and require hospitalization, according to the CDC. They can start as soon as six hours or as late as six days after the bacterium is ingested. Those who are ill can recover without treatment or medication within four to seven days but those who have severe symptoms need to seek medical treatment, the CDC advised. Children under the age of five should not handle poultry, the CDC said, as they are more likely to become ill from the bacterium. They also advise people to wash their hands after handling poultry and eggs, and, most importantly: "Don't kiss or snuggle backyard poultry, and don't eat or drink around them." What People Are Saying Whoopi Goldberg responded to Trump's latest move to make movies only in the United States on ABC's The View, saying: "What that equates to is, you're going to tell me how to write the story I want to write if it happens in Europe? Look, could you please lower the price of eggs before you start this?" What Happens Next Health officials will continue to track cases, but those who have their own chickens should follow CDC advice. Eggs should be collected often, dirt should be wiped or washed away, and the eggs should be stored in the firdge. Officials say cold water shouldn't be used to wash eggs because they can pull germs into the eggs. And when you cook your eggs, make sure to burn all germs by cooking at 160°F.
Japan Today
02-05-2025
- Business
- Japan Today
Backyard barnyard: Rising egg prices prompt hen hires in U.S.
Yong-mi Kim looks inside a portable chicken coop and her egg-laying chickens as part of the "Rent The Chicken" service in La Crescenta, California By Paula RAMON Stung by the rocketing price of eggs -- and U.S. supermarkets rationing a basic breakfast staple -- Yong-mi Kim decided to get some chickens to secure her own supply in southern California. While many people idly muse about backyard farming, for those not ready to take the plunge permanently, there's a solution: renting a henhouse, complete with egg-laying birds. "I really want to try it out and see whether I like it or not," the Los Angeles-area resident told AFP as she took delivery of two chickens and all the equipment they need to live a happy egg-laying life. "Some people I know have chickens at home, but it's a lot of work for them -- they had to adjust the whole garden themselves. So I think renting a chicken is a good start." Hiring hens began to gain ground in the United States around a decade ago in Pennsylvania when a farming couple set up "Rent The Chicken." Since then, the project has expanded to more than 40 cities across North America, with local farmers setting up their own offshoots. The service saw an uptick in interest during the COVID-19 lockdowns, when people were stuck at home. But it has skyrocketed in recent months as consumers quail over the soaring cost of eggs, thanks to a bird flu pandemic that has seen the wholesale culling of egg-laying birds. "Especially this year, we have had a much higher interest, I would say, three to four times as much as we were seeing this time last year," said Victoria Lee, who serves the Los Angeles region from her farm in Agua Dulce. Some Americans have been forking over more than $10 for a dozen eggs, up to three times their usual price, with supermarkets putting daily limits on the number of cartons a shopper can buy. The eye-watering costs were a regular feature of last year's presidential campaign, with U.S. President Donald Trump pledging to lower grocery bills when he got to the White House. But prices have continued to climb, and in March eggs were 60 percent more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Lee is quick to point out, however, that raising chickens at home is not cheaper than buying eggs at the store. Instead, it's a question of quality. "By the time they get to the grocery store (eggs) are on average 48-60 days old," she said. "As eggs sit, no matter the quality at the start of that countdown, over time, the protein in the eggs begins to break down." Backyard eggs, in contrast, are only as old as however long it took the owner to pick them up off the henhouse floor. "Rent the Chicken" offers different options that range from around $500 to over $1,000 for six months, depending on location and number of birds desired. Packages include the birds, food, waterers and feeders, additional treats and a chicken care guide. But it is the included coop that is most striking -- a sort of mini house with what looks like a patio, completely protected by fences. It's also moveable, thanks to wheels on the bottom. "Every day, our renters will lift this up ... and move it forward... with the chickens having access to fresh grass each day. They're getting the experience of being on wide-open pasture with that new stimulation, new bugs to look for, new grass to dig through, while still being safe in a predator-proof coop." The convenience is what made the package attractive to Kim, a university professor living in La Crescenta, near Los Angeles, and when her new coop arrived, she was absolutely thrilled. "Free eggs!" Lee exclaimed while unloading the new backyard tenants and handing over a complimentary dozen laid the previous week. A client with two chickens can expect up to 14 eggs per week, Lee explains. Kim, whose son is an athlete who eats a lot of eggs, says although the supply crisis prompted her to rent the chickens, it's "bigger than that." "I really wanted to have something for the kids, also to learn as a way of life, and to compare the taste of the eggs," she said. © 2025 AFP
Malay Mail
02-05-2025
- Business
- Malay Mail
Why buy eggs when you can rent the hens? Americans turn to chicken rentals as prices soar and backyards go farm-style
LA CRESCENTA (United States), May 3 — Stung by the rocketing price of eggs — and US supermarkets rationing a basic breakfast staple — Yong-mi Kim decided to get some chickens to secure her own supply in southern California. While many people idly muse about backyard farming, for those not ready to take the plunge permanently, there's a solution: renting a henhouse, complete with egg-laying birds. 'I really want to try it out and see whether I like it or not,' the Los Angeles-area resident told AFP as she took delivery of two chickens and all the equipment they need to live a happy egg-laying life. 'Some people I know have chickens at home, but it's a lot of work for them — they had to adjust the whole garden themselves. 'So, I think renting a chicken is a good start.' Hiring hens began to gain ground in the United States around a decade ago in Pennsylvania when a farming couple set up 'Rent The Chicken'. Since then, the project has expanded to more than 40 cities across North America, with local farmers setting up their own offshoots. The service saw an uptick in interest during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when people were stuck at home. The 'Rent The Chicken' service comes with a portable chicken coop. — AFP pic But it has skyrocketed in recent months as consumers quail over the soaring cost of eggs, thanks to a bird flu pandemic that has seen the wholesale culling of egg-laying birds. 'Especially this year, we have had a much higher interest, I would say, three to four times as much as we were seeing this time last year,' said Victoria Lee, who serves the Los Angeles region from her farm in Agua Dulce. Some Americans have been forking over more than US$10 for a dozen eggs, up to three times their usual price, with supermarkets putting daily limits on the number of cartons a shopper can buy. The eyewatering costs were a regular feature of last year's presidential campaign, with US President Donald Trump pledging to lower grocery bills when he got to the White House. But prices have continued to climb, and in March eggs were 60 per cent more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Lee is quick to point out, however, that raising chickens at home is not cheaper than buying eggs at the store. Instead, it's a question of quality. 'By the time they get to the grocery store (eggs) are on average 48-60 days old,' she said. 'As eggs sit, no matter the quality at the start of that countdown, over time, the protein in the eggs begins to break down.' Backyard eggs, in contrast, are only as old as however long it took the owner to pick them up off the henhouse floor. 'Free eggs!' 'Rent the Chicken' offers different options that range from around US$500 to over US$1,000 for six months, depending on location and number of birds desired. Packages include the birds, food, waterers and feeders, additional treats and a chicken care guide. But it is the included coop that is most striking — a sort of mini house with what looks like a patio, completely protected by fences. It's also moveable, thanks to wheels on the bottom. 'Every day, our renters will lift this up... and move it forward... with the chickens having access to fresh grass each day. 'They're getting the experience of being on wide-open pasture with that new stimulation, new bugs to look for, new grass to dig through, while still being safe in a predator-proof coop.' The convenience is what made the package attractive to Kim, a university professor living in La Crescenta, near Los Angeles, and when her new coop arrived, she was absolutely thrilled. In March eggs were 60 per cent more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. — AFP pic 'Free eggs!' Lee exclaimed while unloading the new backyard tenants and handing over a complimentary dozen laid the previous week. A client with two chickens can expect up to 14 eggs per week, Lee explains. Kim, whose son is an athlete who eats a lot of eggs, says although the supply crisis prompted her to rent the chickens, it's 'bigger than that.' 'I really wanted to have something for the kids, also to learn as a way of life, and to compare the taste of the eggs,' she said. — AFP
The Sun
02-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Backyard barnyard: rising egg prices prompt hen hires in US
La Crescenta, United States, May 2, 2025 (AFP) - Stung by the rocketing price of eggs -- and US supermarkets rationing a basic breakfast staple -- Yong-mi Kim decided to get some chickens to secure her own supply in southern California. While many people idly muse about backyard farming, for those not ready to take the plunge permanently, there's a solution: renting a henhouse, complete with egg-laying birds. 'I really want to try it out and see whether I like it or not,' the Los Angeles-area resident told AFP as she took delivery of two chickens and all the equipment they need to live a happy egg-laying life. 'Some people I know have chickens at home, but it's a lot of work for them -- they had to adjust the whole garden themselves. 'So I think renting a chicken is a good start.' Hiring hens began to gain ground in the United States around a decade ago in Pennsylvania when a farming couple set up 'Rent The Chicken.' Since then, the project has expanded to more than 40 cities across North America, with local farmers setting up their own offshoots. The service saw an uptick in interest during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when people were stuck at home. But it has skyrocketed in recent months as consumers quail over the soaring cost of eggs, thanks to a bird flu pandemic that has seen the wholesale culling of egg-laying birds. 'Especially this year, we have had a much higher interest, I would say, three to four times as much as we were seeing this time last year,' said Victoria Lee, who serves the Los Angeles region from her farm in Agua Dulce. Some Americans have been forking over more than $10 for a dozen eggs, up to three times their usual price, with supermarkets putting daily limits on the number of cartons a shopper can buy. The eyewatering costs were a regular feature of last year's presidential campaign, with US President Donald Trump pledging to lower grocery bills when he got to the White House. But prices have continued to climb, and in March eggs were 60 percent more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Lee is quick to point out, however, that raising chickens at home is not cheaper than buying eggs at the store. Instead, it's a question of quality. 'By the time they get to the grocery store (eggs) are on average 48-60 days old,' she said. 'As eggs sit, no matter the quality at the start of that countdown, over time, the protein in the eggs begins to break down.' Backyard eggs, in contrast, are only as old as however long it took the owner to pick them up off the henhouse floor. - 'Free eggs!' - 'Rent the Chicken' offers different options that range from around $500 to over $1,000 for six months, depending on location and number of birds desired. Packages include the birds, food, waterers and feeders, additional treats and a chicken care guide. But it is the included coop that is most striking -- a sort of mini house with what looks like a patio, completely protected by fences. It's also moveable, thanks to wheels on the bottom. 'Every day, our renters will lift this up ... and move it forward... with the chickens having access to fresh grass each day. 'They're getting the experience of being on wide-open pasture with that new stimulation, new bugs to look for, new grass to dig through, while still being safe in a predator-proof coop.' The convenience is what made the package attractive to Kim, a university professor living in La Crescenta, near Los Angeles, and when her new coop arrived, she was absolutely thrilled. 'Free eggs!' Lee exclaimed while unloading the new backyard tenants and handing over a complimentary dozen laid the previous week. A client with two chickens can expect up to 14 eggs per week, Lee explains. Kim, whose son is an athlete who eats a lot of eggs, says although the supply crisis prompted her to rent the chickens, it's 'bigger than that.' 'I really wanted to have something for the kids, also to learn as a way of life, and to compare the taste of the eggs,' she said.
France 24
02-05-2025
- Business
- France 24
Backyard barnyard: rising egg prices prompt hen hires in US
While many people idly muse about backyard farming, for those not ready to take the plunge permanently, there's a solution: renting a henhouse, complete with egg-laying birds. "I really want to try it out and see whether I like it or not," the Los Angeles-area resident told AFP as she took delivery of two chickens and all the equipment they need to live a happy egg-laying life. "Some people I know have chickens at home, but it's a lot of work for them -- they had to adjust the whole garden themselves. "So I think renting a chicken is a good start." Hiring hens began to gain ground in the United States around a decade ago in Pennsylvania when a farming couple set up "Rent The Chicken." Since then, the project has expanded to more than 40 cities across North America, with local farmers setting up their own offshoots. The service saw an uptick in interest during the Covid-19 lockdowns, when people were stuck at home. But it has skyrocketed in recent months as consumers quail over the soaring cost of eggs, thanks to a bird flu pandemic that has seen the wholesale culling of egg-laying birds. "Especially this year, we have had a much higher interest, I would say, three to four times as much as we were seeing this time last year," said Victoria Lee, who serves the Los Angeles region from her farm in Agua Dulce. Some Americans have been forking over more than $10 for a dozen eggs, up to three times their usual price, with supermarkets putting daily limits on the number of cartons a shopper can buy. The eyewatering costs were a regular feature of last year's presidential campaign, with US President Donald Trump pledging to lower grocery bills when he got to the White House. But prices have continued to climb, and in March eggs were 60 percent more expensive than a year earlier, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Lee is quick to point out, however, that raising chickens at home is not cheaper than buying eggs at the store. Instead, it's a question of quality. "By the time they get to the grocery store (eggs) are on average 48-60 days old," she said. "As eggs sit, no matter the quality at the start of that countdown, over time, the protein in the eggs begins to break down." Backyard eggs, in contrast, are only as old as however long it took the owner to pick them up off the henhouse floor. - 'Free eggs!' - "Rent the Chicken" offers different options that range from around $500 to over $1,000 for six months, depending on location and number of birds desired. Packages include the birds, food, waterers and feeders, additional treats and a chicken care guide. But it is the included coop that is most striking -- a sort of mini house with what looks like a patio, completely protected by fences. It's also moveable, thanks to wheels on the bottom. "Every day, our renters will lift this up ... and move it forward... with the chickens having access to fresh grass each day. "They're getting the experience of being on wide-open pasture with that new stimulation, new bugs to look for, new grass to dig through, while still being safe in a predator-proof coop." The convenience is what made the package attractive to Kim, a university professor living in La Crescenta, near Los Angeles, and when her new coop arrived, she was absolutely thrilled. "Free eggs!" Lee exclaimed while unloading the new backyard tenants and handing over a complimentary dozen laid the previous week. A client with two chickens can expect up to 14 eggs per week, Lee explains. Kim, whose son is an athlete who eats a lot of eggs, says although the supply crisis prompted her to rent the chickens, it's "bigger than that." "I really wanted to have something for the kids, also to learn as a way of life, and to compare the taste of the eggs," she said.
