Washington has seen its share of political birdbrains over the years, but Vice President JD Vance is bringing in the real thing.
The vice president has installed a custom-built chicken coop on the grounds of the historic Naval Observatory, the official residence of the vice president — and unlike many government projects, this one reportedly didn’t leave taxpayers holding the bill.
The handcrafted coop was specifically designed to blend with the architecture of the centuries-old residence, creating a surprisingly fitting addition to one of Washington’s most storied addresses. According to Vance’s office, the structure was provided at no cost to taxpayers, a detail that’s bound to ruffle fewer feathers than most D.C. spending decisions.
The coop was built by Carolina Coops, a family-owned American company that has spent nearly two decades catering to the booming backyard chicken movement. What started in 2008 as founders Matt and Gnon DuBoise’s search for fresh eggs evolved into a nationally known business specializing in premium chicken housing.
For founder Matt DuBoise, landing a project at the vice president’s residence was the kind of opportunity small-business owners dream about.
“Seeing our work become part of a historic residence like the Naval Observatory is a milestone I will never forget,” DuBoise said. “As a small business owner, this is a true ‘American dream’ moment for me and my family.”
He added: “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity and excited to continue sharing the benefits and joy of raising chickens with people around the country, as well as how having a chicken coop can benefit families and teach kids valuable life lessons. This project is more than just a chicken coop — it reflects the dedication of our entire team and the values that have guided us from the beginning.”
And in a refreshing departure from the typical Washington ribbon-cutting photo op, Vance apparently intends to do more than just pose next to the birds. His office says he’ll personally care for the flock, while his children have already taken ownership of the family project by naming the newly arrived chicks.
The setup also happens to align with a growing national trend. Backyard chicken ownership exploded during the pandemic years and received another boost from recurring egg shortages, inflation-driven grocery bills and renewed interest in food independence. Millions of Americans now keep chickens at home, viewing them as both practical and educational.
Americans have endured years of sticker shock in the egg aisle, driven in part by devastating avian flu outbreaks that forced farmers to cull tens of millions of laying hens nationwide. Against that backdrop, the sight of a vice president raising chickens instead of lecturing Americans about supply chains may resonate with plenty of families.
Carolina Coops says its structures are built with predator-resistant materials and feature deep-litter systems designed to minimize maintenance, allowing owners to spend less time cleaning and more time collecting eggs.
The coop made its public debut during the Naval Observatory’s annual “Camp VPR” event, which hosts local 4-H students in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Predictably, critics may find a way to mock a chicken coop on government grounds. But at a moment when much of official Washington seems detached from everyday life, a vice president raising chickens with his kids sends a different message: self-reliance, family involvement and a little less dependence on whatever crisis is driving grocery prices this week.
