New Zealanders set to secure their own supply of eggs

The price of eggs has increased worldwide – avian influenza has wiped out millions of birds, coupled with a massive hike in the price of energy and feed. While some countries have reported a steeper increase than others, in New Zealand, locals are looking to keep their own backyard birds. On 1 January, it became unlawful to house hens in cages. This is reportedly adding to the pressures that producers are facing and the Egg Producers Federation of New Zealand says there is currently a shortage of 300,000 hens. But, New Zealand is among the countries that consume more eggs per person than most, and the recent shortage and price hike of eggs has caused locals to look to secure their own supplies in their own backyards. Local auction site, Trade Me, said that searches for chickens and for equipment related to keeping chickens had spiked: “Since the start of January, we have seen over 65,000 searches for chickens and other chicken-related items, like feeders, coops and food,” Millie ...