People in Texas are stockpiling actual live chickens now because they can't buy eggs

Supermarkets selling out of eggs? Stockpiling chickens is the simple solution according to the people of San Antonio, Texas.

Christie Quintanilla, who raises chicks at Cluckingham Palace in Bexar County, said that an increase in demand for chicks during the coronavirus outbreak means that she has a waiting list for them over two weeks long.

Speaking to San Antonio Express News, she said:

Some people were looking for 100 at a time, and one even asked for 150. We had to turn them down. Ten is our limit.

Quintanilla also expressed concern that people might have to wait longer than they expect to get eggs from the chicks.

My hope is that all of these people buying chicks and chickens will stay loyal to them, because the chick buyers aren't going to see any eggs until at least late August or September, and the health climate is going to be different then – I hope.

She's not the only one to notice an increase in demand for chicks.

Cathy Sullivan, who works at Strutty's Feed and Pet Supply shop, said that there's been a "mad dash for the chickens".

Residents are queueing early in the morning to pick up chicks, selling out the shop's shipments of up to 350 a week.

According to a report in The Washington Post, chick suppliers like Cackle Hatchery in Missouri have doubled their sales this year as more and more people raise their own livestock amid coronavirus fears.

But while there might be benefits to keeping backyard chickens, new owners shouldn't expect to tuck into fresh scrambled egg any time soon.

Chicks take a lot of work to raise and won't start laying eggs until they're around six months old.