Frustrated by rising egg prices and supermarket rationing, California resident Yong-mi Kim chose to rent hens from the "Rent The Chicken" network of farmers. In the US, the bird flu crisis sent the cost of eggs skyrocketing. “Since the pandemic, we've seen more interest than normal, then especially this year, we have had much higher interest,” explains Victoria Lee, who serves the Los Angeles area from her farm. Eggs cost 60 percent more than a year ago, according to US Department of Agriculture figures. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES