Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
- Chick sales are surging in Ogden due to high egg prices and bird flu.
- IFA stores limit chick purchases to six per family amid increased demand.
- New chicken owners are encouraged, but proper care for chicks is emphasized.
OGDEN — Longtime chicken owners like Calee Adams, of Morgan, are finding it much harder than usual to get new chicks for the spring.
"It's just, it's been wild — big lines everywhere," Adams said. "I usually just walk right in, you buy the breeds you want, you walk out; no big deal. And now, this year, there are limits on the hens you can buy."
What Adams and others are seeing seems to be symptomatic of the bird flu. As egg prices remain high, stores like the IFA along 12th Street in Ogden are seeing a rush on baby chicks. They saw something similar during a bird flu outbreak in 2022, but this time, employees said the demand is much higher.
"Definitely, there's things that are spurring folks this time," said Maddie Stephens, the store's assistant manager. "I think things are a little more pressing to them, so we've had people that are very interested."
IFA stores along the Wasatch Front as a whole are doing what they can to keep up. There's now a limit of six chicks per family. The Ogden store gets the chicks in stock on Fridays at 1 p.m., but lines are starting to form well before that.
"Last week we had our very first people at 8:00 (a.m.) with lawn chairs, very content to kind of hang out for the day," Stephens said. "It's been an interesting turn of events to have folks so dedicated to showing up early."
Stephens said IFA stores are also working to make sure buyers are informed on what they need to do to properly care for the chicks. Signs alert customers to provide a heat source, bedding, feed, grit, water and electrolytes for starters.
"You definitely need to know that you are taking on live animals that are going to need some extra care," Stephens said. "They need to spend some time in your home, and they need to do some growing up before they'll actually start laying eggs for you."
While it may be hard to find new chicks, Adams said she welcomes the new chicken owners.
"I love them, so I welcome everyone who wants to be a part of the chicken family," Adams said. "I'm incubating my own now, and there are lots of people who have started incubating instead of waiting for the day-old chicks, so it's great. Come join us. Join us in Crazy Chicken Land."
