GRAHAM, Wash. — Baby chicks are flying out of this South Sound feed store. It comes as egg prices have more than doubled in just the last year.
Business is brisk these days at the Graham Hay Market. A lot of people are there to buy chicks, apparently creating their own backyard flocks.
A lot of people snapped up some chicks there over the weekend, the first weekend the chicks were available.
And buyers aren’t especially picky except for one thing. They want the chicks that will lay the most eggs.
There aren’t many chicks left after the weekend run on Graham Hay Market.
“This past Saturday morning we had loads of people all lined up when it was snowing, which I’m not used to snow, lined up in the snow, ready to get their chicks,” said Manager Jana White.
White, her daughter and son-in-law are the owners, says within two days, nearly all 200 had flown out of the door to new homes.
“I think a lot of the market is driven right now because egg prices are so high,” said White.
And that’s no yolk, pardon the pun!
The state’s veterinarian blames the steep rise in egg prices on the devastation of the deadly bird flu. Tens of millions of egg-laying chickens have perished in the last three years, taking a toll on egg farmers.
“I know that egg prices have also had an emotional toll for people because we do rely on eggs,” said Dr. Amber Itle. “I mean, eggs are in everything we make with eggs. We use them for breakfast. We use them for pretty much everything.”
Dr. Itle says it will be months before these chicks are mature enough to produce the eggs needed to restock store shelves.
Meanwhile, Graham Hay Market will be holding its chicken reveal event every Friday until July.
“Come Saturday morning at 9 a.m.,” said White. “And that’s when they all line up.”
Of course, bird flu is an issue for everyone who has chickens. So, new owners will need to take precautions to keep their flock safe, too.