Poultry suppliers have seen demand for backyard chickens go through the roof of the henhouse following a perceived shortage of eggs in supermarkets.

They now have orders exceeding their ability to supply birds on the point-of-lay while a shortage of live chickens in NSW is being augmented by deliveries from Queensland.

Chicken shoppers Matt and Naomi Whiteley with their daughter Shiloh at New Leaf Nursery in Ingleside. Credit:James Brickwood

The peak body for the egg industry in Australia, however, assured shoppers that there was no reason for panic buying with availability expected to be steady throughout autumn and winter.

Daniel Yakich, owner with his wife, Simone, of the New Leaf Nursery at Ingleside near Mona Vale, said they had more than 300 callers wanting to order chickens over three days.