What comes first, the NZ chicken or egg shortage?

NEW ZEALANDERS have been asked to stop buying live chickens after Jacinda Ardern’s ban on battery farms caused a nationwide egg shortage.

There has been a reported rise in those looking to adopt chickens, prompting animal welfare activists to warn about the long-term implications of caring for the birds. The rush to buy chickens comes amid shortages of eggs for sale and purchase limits being imposed by supermarkets.

James Ryan, a spokesman for Trade Me, New Zealand’s biggest online auction and classifieds site, said that in the past week searches for chickens and “chicken-related items” had risen by 77 per cent to 32,800, compared with the seven days before.

Gabby Clezy, of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, told The Guardian: “I understand it seems like a good idea, but please don’t get a chicken unless you can look after it long term,” adding: “None of us want to see any more abandoned.”

Ms Clezy said that the charity took in 370 live chickens last year, with the majority of the birds surrendered, abandoned or removed by inspectors for welfare reasons.