VP JD Vance builds chicken coop at Naval Observatory residence

U.S. Vice President JD Vance has added a distinctive touch to his official residence at the U.S. Naval Observatory by installing a chicken coop. The structure, designed to mirror his family's home, features a large white farmhouse style with a turret entrance, green doors, and a faux stone roof. It is situated on the sprawling 29-acre grounds, overlooking the National Cathedral.

Twelve chicks are currently housed in the coop. Guests attending a recent party at the Vice President's residence had the opportunity to see the coop and witness a chicken care demonstration led by students from a youth development club. This personal addition follows a tradition of previous Vice Presidents leaving their mark on the historic Naval Observatory grounds.

Past Vice Presidents have also personalized the estate; Joe Biden established a heritage garden, Karen Pence introduced beehives, and Kamala Harris decorated the library with pink wallpaper. The trend of backyard chicken keeping has seen a resurgence in the U.S., with a 2025 survey indicating that 11 million households now keep chickens.

The chicks are expected to provide fresh eggs for the Vice President's family, particularly for his children, whom he once humorously claimed eat 14 eggs each morning. This statement, initially scrutinized for potential exaggeration, was intended to highlight the issue of soaring egg prices during his campaign.

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really eat up to 14 eggs every morning