Chicken run: Belgians panic-buy hens for eggs

Never mind toilet paper and flour. In some parts of rural Belgium, people are panic buying hens.

Several poultry breeders in Wallonia have reported a surge in activity in recent days.

One, in Bierset near Liège, said customers had cleared out his stock of spring chicks, of all breeds, in just a week.

Most of the buyers were new customers, perhaps acting out of fear after seeing TV images of empty supermarket shelves, RTBF reports.

There is no shortage of supply, since farmers currently cannot export outside Europe.

Another farmer in the Ardennes said he has had no difficulty selling off his older hens, which are "at the end of their career".

The hens are no longer productive enough for the farm, but still lay enough eggs to feed an average household.