The Great Backyard Chicken Craze: Are You Ready for the Coop Life?

Egg prices are soaring, and Americans are hatching a plan—literally. Across the country, people are trading their grocery store frustrations for a new, feathery venture: backyard chickens. It sounds like a dream—fresh eggs every morning, a charming coop in the backyard, and an Instagram-worthy flock. But is the backyard chicken life all it’s cracked up to be?

Coop Dreams and Budget Realities

Let’s start with the appeal. At first glance, raising chickens seems like an easy win. With a few hens, you can kiss those sky-high egg prices goodbye. Online retailers like Temu have made backyard farming even more accessible, offering starter coops for under $100—an absolute steal compared to the traditional $500 setups. In fact, searches for “Temu Chicken Coop” have skyrocketed by 150% in just the past month, proving that interest in homegrown eggs is no yolk.

A chick itself costs about $8, and for around $100, you can set up a cozy starter home for your future egg layers. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, not so fast.

The Daily Chicken Chores

Owning chickens isn’t just a one-time investment; it’s a full-on lifestyle change. Chickens need daily feeding and fresh water. Their coops require cleaning, predators lurk at night, and those adorable baby chicks grow into full-sized hens with, shall we say, strong personalities.

Then there’s the time commitment. While basic care takes about 10-20 minutes a day, weekly deep cleaning adds another 30-60 minutes. And if you go on vacation? Hope you have a trustworthy neighbor who doesn’t mind getting pecked while collecting your morning eggs.

Social Media Is Clucking About It

If you’ve spent even a few minutes on TikTok recently, you’ve probably seen proud new chicken owners assembling their Temu coops, showing off their first eggs, or sharing coop hacks. The hashtag #TemuChickenCoop is gaining traction, with thousands of people showing off their new backyard setups.

Some influencers are taking it a step further, giving virtual tours of their flocks, breaking down the costs, and sharing tips on how to make the most out of the backyard chicken experience. Others are realizing that maybe, just maybe, raising chickens wasn’t as easy as they thought—especially when that cute little chick turns out to be a crowing rooster at 5 AM.

The Hard-Boiled Truth: Will the Trend Last?

Right now, backyard chicken farming is riding a wave of enthusiasm. It’s reminiscent of the pandemic’s sourdough craze—exciting at first, but not everyone sticks with it. Some cities are already seeing an increase in surrendered chickens at animal shelters from owners who underestimated the commitment.

Even if egg prices remain high, raising chickens comes with its own set of expenses. Between feed, maintenance, and coop upgrades, it’s not always the money-saving solution people imagine. And once the novelty wears off, some chicken coops could end up gathering dust—or worse, popping up for resale on Facebook Marketplace.

Should You Join the Flock?

For those truly committed, backyard chickens can be a rewarding experience. Fresh eggs, composting benefits, and a connection to where your food comes from are all real perks. But for others, the reality of daily care, unexpected costs, and the occasional escapee hen might be more hassle than it’s worth.

Before you hit “add to cart” on that budget-friendly Temu coop, ask yourself: Am I ready for the early mornings? The upkeep? The occasional chicken drama? If so, welcome to the flock. If not, maybe just befriend a neighbor with chickens and trade eggs for goodwill instead.