Looking at bare grocery store shelves and thinking it would be nice to have your own chickens at home for eggs?

You might want to think again.

It turns out you couldn't start raising chickens, even if you wanted to, in Southern California for a reason that has nothing to do with the coronavirus. It's because of a virulent strain of Newcastle disease.

Yep, that's right — another virus.

Newcastle is a highly contagious and fatal disease that affects all types of birds, but chickens are especially susceptible to it.

The disease was first detected in Southern California in May 2018. A quarantine was ordered for the Compton and El Monte areas in August 2018 and then expanded.

Why haven't you heard about it? It is not a food safety concern. Cooked poultry products are safe to eat, according to the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

Nevertheless, the Coachella Valley is within the region that is under quarantine orders for birds, which stretches from the Salton Sea to Santa Monica. So, until it blows over, you won't find chicks for sale at stores that would typically carry them like Tractor Supply or reputable breeders.

In a video posted on YouTube on Monday, California State Veterinarian Annette Jones said quarantine orders could be lifted in a few months.

Still want to build a chicken coop in the meantime? Here are the different regulations for chickens for each city in the Coachella Valley:

Related:A view from the front lines of California’s COVID-19 battle

More:Coronavirus is keeping people at home, and some decided it's a good time to adopt a pet

Palm Springs: Chickens are only allowed on properties in agricultural zones within the city.

La Quinta: Livestock including "barnyard poultry" may only be kept on a lot or combination of adjoined lots one acre in size or greater.

Indio: Farm animals, including chickens, are prohibited in residential areas. Up to five chickens and one coop are allowed in two areas of the city zoned for "country or equestrian estates."

Coachella: The raising of small animals, including chickens, is only allowed in the city's agricultural zones.

Desert Hot Springs: The city council voted last fall to ban roosters within city limits following noise complaints. Previously up to six roosters were allowed per residence without restrictions. The ordinance did not affect hens.

Cathedral City: Chickens are only allowed on properties zoned for "residential estate." In those zones, a maximum of three chickens are allowed per household and they have to be kept at least 20 feet from the home. Roosters are not allowed at all in the city.

Indian Wells: Farm animals including chickens are not allowed, though some exceptions can be made for horses and cattle.

Palm Desert: Chickens must be kept at least 100 feet away from residences.

Rancho Mirage: The city does not have any ordinances regulating chickens on the books, said Jeremy Gleim, development services director. "The majority of residents in Rancho Mirage reside in gated residential communities," Gleim said by email. "Each of those communities is governed by a Home Owners Association (HOA) that would most likely have regulations pertaining to chickens."

Unincorporated Riverside County: In single-family dwelling zones, chickens can be kept on lots one acre or greater. They have to be kept 20 feet or more away from any property line and 50 feet or more from the residence, behind the home. People owning seven or more roosters have to get a permit and keep the roosters in an "acoustical structure" between sunset and sunrise, to keep the noise down.

Risa Johnson covers Native American affairs in the Coachella Valley and beyond. She can be reached at risa.johnson@desertsun.com or (760) 778-4737. Follow her on Twitter @risamjohnson.