The pandemic prompted many more families and individuals around the world to become interested in self sufficient ways of living.
Growing gardens, raising chickens, or collecting rainwater, these are just a few ways that some went looking to diversify their food needs. More families started to look at directly providing for themselves so that they could rely less on the commercial food system.
For some it might be a hobby, for many it's a way of life.
Over the last couple of years there has been a surge in interest for backyard chickens and with people looking online on how to get involved in raising their own.
For one company looking to cater to this market, OverEZ, they have been offering chicken coops that you can easily order online then have them mailed to your door where you can then easily put it together.
Their chicken coops are built by Amish trained craftsmen in the U.S. and they've already sold millions of dollars worth to customers looking to start their own chicken coop operations.
There is no way to know for certain just how many might officially be raising chickens around the U.S. However, this company shows that there is a demand there and they've sought to make it easy for families and individuals to take on that adventure of raising chickens.
Not everyone has the freedom of raising chickens even if they would like to, in some U.S. jurisdictions they've already banned backyard chicken coops and that freedom has been denied for some who might want to provide in that way for their families.
There are a variety of benefits to becoming more self sufficient and there are many ways to get creative in trying to do it. It doesn't have to be all or nothing, even little movements forward can add value to the family unit. Those restrictions on backyard chicken coops work against the people in preventing them from providing for themselves, others, diversifying the food system, and embracing their own self sufficiency.