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Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins sparked controversy by suggesting Americans consider raising backyard chickens as one solution to combat rising egg prices.

During her appearance on “Fox & Friends Weekend,” Rollins shared her perspective with host Rachel Campos-Duffy, highlighting her personal experience with backyard chicken farming.

“I think the silver lining in all this is how do we, in our backyards — we’ve got chickens, too, in our backyard — how do we solve for something like this?” Rollins said, according to a report from Mediaite. “And people are sort of looking around thinking, ‘Wow, well, Maybe I can get a chicken in my backyard,’ and it’s awesome.”

The Agriculture Secretary expanded on this idea in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece, where she outlined plans to simplify regulations for both backyard chicken keeping and commercial egg production.

The suggestion drew immediate criticism from Democratic leaders, particularly as egg prices continue to surge due to widespread avian flu outbreaks affecting poultry farms nationwide.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer took to social media to express his disapproval: “Can’t wait to hear Trump’s ‘Chickens in every backyard’ riff at tomorrow’s speech. This is not a solution. Trump’s cabinet is mocking you. Democrats are fighting to lower prices for you.”

When confronted about this criticism by CNN’s Jake Tapper, Rollins defended her position, arguing that Schumer’s response demonstrated a disconnect with average American families seeking solutions to feed their households.

The Democratic response appeared to overlook that Rollins’ backyard chicken suggestion was just one component of a broader strategy to address egg price inflation, which included significant regulatory reform for commercial producers.

The controversy highlighted a growing divide between political perspectives on practical solutions for American families. While backyard chicken keeping may not be feasible for everyone, many Americans have shown increasing interest in this option amid rising food costs and growing concerns about food security.

Rollins’ approach represents a departure from traditional Department of Agriculture leadership, emphasizing individual empowerment and self-sufficiency. This aligns with the administration’s broader focus on supporting American families through practical, multi-faceted solutions to economic challenges.