Vice President JD Vance is bringing backyard chickens to the Naval Observatory, the historic vice presidential residence in Washington. For the first time ever, a chicken coop will sit on the grounds of the property where the second family resides.
The coop was built by Carolina Coops, a family-owned business founded in 2008 by Matt and Gnon DuBoise. According to The Daily Wire, which first reported the story, the project came at no cost to American taxpayers. A source familiar with the project confirmed the arrangement. The design was created to match the architectural themes of the historic residence.
The development follows a trend that has gained traction among some conservative figures: the "Make America Healthy Again" movement, which promotes self-sufficiency and natural food sources. During his 2024 Senate campaign, then-candidate Vance joked about his children eating approximately 14 eggs each morning during an appearance at a Pennsylvania grocery store.
"Seeing our work become part of a historic residence like the Naval Observatory is a milestone I will never forget," Matt DuBoise told The Daily Wire. "As a small business owner, this is a true 'American dream' moment for me and my family."
What the Right Is Saying
Supporters have praised the move as a wholesome reflection of family values and self-reliance. Conservative commentators highlighted the story as an example of what they characterize as the Vance family's commitment to practical, hands-on parenting.
"This is exactly the kind of grounded, family-centered approach that resonates with working-class Americans," one conservative commentator wrote on social media. "The vice president isn't performing populism — he's living it."
The small business aspect has also drawn positive attention from free-market advocates. Carolina Coops' founders have built a following through YouTube content sharing parenting advice and coop design insights, making them recognizable figures in the backyard chicken community.
"Supporting family-owned businesses that create American jobs is something everyone should be able to agree on," a Republican communications aide noted. "The fact that this project came at zero cost to taxpayers makes it an easy win."
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive critics have raised questions about the appropriateness of installing agricultural infrastructure at an official government residence. Some observers note that while taxpayers are not footing the bill for the coop itself, the Naval Observatory is federal property maintained by public resources.
"The vice president's residence serves as both a home and an official seat of government," one ethics watchdog group noted in commentary shared on social media. "Every addition to these grounds carries implications for how we conceptualize the intersection of private family life and public office."
Others have pointed out that the MAHA movement's framing around "health" lacks rigorous scientific backing, suggesting the initiative may be more symbolic than substantive. Some Democrats have noted privately that the optics of a vice president promoting backyard farming while federal nutrition assistance programs serve millions of households presents a contrast worth examining.
What the Numbers Show
According to data from the American Pet Products Association, between 10 and 12 million American households currently keep chickens in their backyards. The trend has grown steadily over the past decade, with the COVID-19 pandemic accelerating interest in home-based food production.
Backyard chicken coops typically cost between $200 and $5,000 depending on size and features, according to industry data from multiple poultry supply retailers. Carolina Coops, which built the Naval Observatory structure, positions its products at the premium end of that range based on their publicly listed pricing.
The second annual "Camp VPR" event held this weekend brought children and families to the Naval Observatory grounds for games and crafts, with local 4-H students teaching attendees about the newly installed coop in partnership with the Department of Agriculture. The program was open to the public via registration.
The Bottom Line
The installation represents a notable first in the long history of the vice presidential residence, which has been home to every second gentleman and lady since 1974. Whether the chicken coop signals a broader cultural shift within the administration or simply reflects one family's personal choices remains to be seen.
Watch for future public programming at Camp VPR events that may feature agricultural education components. The Department of Agriculture's involvement suggests potential for expanded outreach connecting vice presidential activities with rural youth programs.