Want to raise backyard chickens? You might want to consider the cost

Farmers and bird keepers have been told to remain vigilant following an outbreak of bird flu (Alamy/PA) -

Soaring egg prices have you dreaming of a backyard coop? Think carefully before taking the plunge, especially with the ongoing threat of bird flu.

While backyard chickens have surged in popularity since the pandemic, the reality of fresh eggs comes with significant upfront costs and ongoing commitment, potentially exceeding the December average of $4.15 a dozen for commercial eggs.