In California, eggs are more expensive due to a combination of factors including higher production costs, bird flu and the requirement that eggs be raised in a cage-free system. In January, a dozen eggs in California cost nearly $9, up about 70% since the previous month.

Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor at the U.C. Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, said with prices reaching almost a dollar an egg, investing in a backyard flock might actually save money in the long run.