Some chicken feeders say the coronavirus(冠状病毒)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 fresh eggs.
Businesses that sell young chicks and chicken houses say they have seen an increase in need since last March. That is when U.S. health officials ordered people to stay at home to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. Allison and Ron Abta live in California. They had talked about setting up a chicken house for years. They finally did so this summer. The couple's three children were excited when their parents finally agreed to buy chicks. "These chickens are like my favorite thing, honestly," said 12-year-old Violet. "They actually have personalities once you get to know them." The baby birds lived inside the family's home for six weeks before moving into their yard. It now houses the five hens and protects them from foxes and other animals that could hurt them.
Mark Podgwaite is a chicken feeder. He said he and other feeders have noticed an increase in need for chicks since the coronavirus began. The Abta family bought their chicks from Mill Valley Chickens. The farming business sells chickens and feed. It also builds chicken houses. Owner Leslie Citroen offers first-time chicken keepers some classes. She says her sales grew 400 percent in 2020.
Citroen said most of her buyers in 2020 were first-time chicken keepers. Some of the mare parents looking for something to keep their children busy while at home. Others are "preppers"—people who want their own supplies(供给) of things if the world falls apart.
