If you’re like most Idahoans, over the last three years you’ve been watching your bank accounts dwindle as inflation drastically increases the price of eggs.

Due to inflation, the price of a dozen eggs has increased from around $3 for a dozen to $6 over the past couple of years. Because of this, many Americans have taken to owning their own chickens in hopes of getting fresh eggs at a lower cost.

Whether it’s the cost of eggs or increasing food shortages, Americans choosing to raise their own chickens is growing rapidly.

According to the American Pet Product Association’s 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey, ownership of backyard chickens has increased from 8,000,000 to 13,000,000 Americans in 2020.

Raising chickens for meat or eggs can also bring security to many families when the grocery store shelves are bare.

Some people may think you can only own chickens if you live on a farm or out in the country, but some neighborhoods in the Treasure Valley area allow people to own chickens in their very backyard. While some big city neighborhoods may not allow people to keep livestock like chickens in their backyards, most neighborhoods with enough space will allow chickens.

Not only will you have fresh eggs from your own backyard, but you can even sell them to your friends, family, or online. By feeding your chickens natural ingredients like grass, weeds, and bugs, they will produce tastier, more nutritious eggs.

Apart from the cost of a chicken coop and feed, you can buy a chicken at an affordable price from around $3 to $30 per chicken.

Chickens certainly are a great investment as well as fun and entertaining little pets.