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Rising egg prices, nearly doubling in the past year due to a bird flu outbreak, have led some people to consider raising their own chickens. However, Lake Charles Farmer Michelle Trahan warns that backyard chicken farming is more complex and costly than expected.
“It’s not the best idea for everyone. It’s not cost-effective by any means to properly do it. You’re looking at up to a couple of thousand and up to do a very fortified chicken coop that’s predator-proof.”
Trahan stresses that raising chickens involves more than just collecting eggs and says well-cared-for chickens are essential for quality egg production.
“I don’t want to discourage anyone from doing it but I definitely want to encourage people to do their homework before going out and getting these birds.”
Trahan cautions that egg prices may stabilize, making backyard farming less financially appealing in the long run.
“Hopefully it won’t be a very long extended period with these high egg prices. So, I don’t recommend it for everyone.”
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