A BELOVED pet store has introduced an unexpected solution to egg shortages.
The major pet retailer is testing a way to allow customers to cultivate their own eggs.
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Petco is piloting a program for those looking to source their own eggs in response to rising egg costs – also known as “eggflation.”
The California-based pet supply store is selling egg-laying chicks to shoppers hoping to raise them as livestock.
The pilot program is taking place across five Petco stores.
A store in Commack, New York has already sold dozens of the female chicks, according to the New York Post.
“We actually sold through the first two batches,” an employee told the Post.
“We’re down to our last few.”
The employee confirmed that the Commack location is the only Petco on Long Island to participate in the program.
The store is expecting a third shipment of 25 chicks, which are sold for $5.99 each.
The program began in March, and is thus far limited to the five Petco stores, including the one in Commack.
It marks the first time that the store has sold chicks year-round, except in specific rural areas.
The baby chickens come in various breeds.
These birds are sourced from a hatchery in Iowa, according to a store representative.
However, raising the chicks could be a lot of work – more than it’s worth.
A Reddit post in the Long Island subreddit discussed the phenomenon.
Users commented on the impracticality of raising an animal just to save on egg prices.
“My guess?” one Reddit user wrote.
“Lots of people don’t know what they are getting in to and when it becomes more responsibility than they thought you will see people dumping chickens at parks or putting them up for adoption.”
“This is a terrible idea,” said another.
“Chickens are so much work, and people are going to get them and have no idea what they’re doing.”
Petco did not immediately respond to The U.S. Sun’s request for comment.