Pandemic Feeds Demand for Backyard Chickens
2021-01-10
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1Some chicken breeders and poultry groups say the coronavirus pandemic has led more people in the United States to start raising their own chickens.
2The practice provides people with a new interest, animal friendships and a continuous supply of fresh eggs.
3Chicken-keeping has become more popular in recent years as people seek ways to help the environment by carefully investigating the food they eat.
4Businesses that sell young chicks, coops and other supplies say they have seen an increase in demand since last March.
5That is when U.S. health officials ordered people to stay home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus.
6Allison and Ron Abta live in Marin County, California.
7They had talked about setting up a chicken coop for years.
8They finally did so this summer.
9The couple's three children were excited when their parents finally agreed to buy chicks.
10"These chickens are like my favorite thing, honestly," said 12-year-old Violet.
11"They actually have personalities once you get to know them."
12The baby birds lived inside the family's home for six weeks before moving into their yard.
13A wire enclosure now houses the five hens and protects them from bobcats, foxes and other animals that could harm them.
14Mark Podgwaite is a chicken breeder in Vermont who heads the American Poultry Association.
15He said he and other breeders have noticed an increase in demand for chicks since the pandemic began.
16His organization has also seen an increase in new members.
17"It just exploded. Whether folks wanted birds just for eggs or eggs and meat, it seemed to really, really take off," Podgwaite said.
18The Abta family bought their chicks from Mill Valley Chickens.
19The farming business sells chickens, feed and supplies.
20It also builds coops.
21Owner Leslie Citroen offers classes for first-time chicken keepers.
22She estimates her sales grew 400 percent in 2020.
23"I don't think it's going to slow down," Citroen said.
24"I think this new interest and passion in chickens is permanent."
25Citroen said most of her buyers in 2020 were first-time chicken keepers.
26Some of them are parents looking for something to keep their children busy while at home.
27Others are "preppers" -- people who want their own supplies of things in case the world falls apart.
28"Demand is just through the roof right now," Citroen said.
29I'm Jonathan Evans.
1Some chicken breeders and poultry groups say the coronavirus pandemic has led more people in the United States to start raising their own chickens. The practice provides people with a new interest, animal friendships and a continuous supply of fresh eggs. 2Chicken-keeping has become more popular in recent years as people seek ways to help the environment by carefully investigating the food they eat. 3Businesses that sell young chicks, coops and other supplies say they have seen an increase in demand since last March. That is when U.S. health officials ordered people to stay home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. 4Allison and Ron Abta live in Marin County, California. They had talked about setting up a chicken coop for years. They finally did so this summer. 5The couple's three children were excited when their parents finally agreed to buy chicks. 6"These chickens are like my favorite thing, honestly," said 12-year-old Violet. "They actually have personalities once you get to know them." 7The baby birds lived inside the family's home for six weeks before moving into their yard. A wire enclosure now houses the five hens and protects them from bobcats, foxes and other animals that could harm them. 8Mark Podgwaite is a chicken breeder in Vermont who heads the American Poultry Association. He said he and other breeders have noticed an increase in demand for chicks since the pandemic began. His organization has also seen an increase in new members. 9"It just exploded. Whether folks wanted birds just for eggs or eggs and meat, it seemed to really, really take off," Podgwaite said. 10The Abta family bought their chicks from Mill Valley Chickens. The farming business sells chickens, feed and supplies. It also builds coops. Owner Leslie Citroen offers classes for first-time chicken keepers. She estimates her sales grew 400 percent in 2020. 11"I don't think it's going to slow down," Citroen said. "I think this new interest and passion in chickens is permanent." 12Citroen said most of her buyers in 2020 were first-time chicken keepers. Some of them are parents looking for something to keep their children busy while at home. Others are "preppers" -- people who want their own supplies of things in case the world falls apart. 13"Demand is just through the roof right now," Citroen said. 14I'm Jonathan Evans. 15Terence Chea reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Ashley Thompson was the editor. 16________________________________________________________________ 17Words in This Story 18breeders - n. people who breed an animal or plant 19coops - n. cages or small buildings in which chickens or other small animals are kept 20passion - n. a strong feeling of enthusiasm or excitement for something or about doing something 21personalities - n. the set of emotional qualities, ways of behaving, etc., that makes something different from other things 22poultry - n. birds such as chickens and ducks that are raised on farms for their eggs or meat 23practice - n. something that is done often or regularly 24through the roof - idiom. to an extremely or excessively high level 25yard - n. an outdoor area next to a building that is often bordered by shrubs or fences