The Avian Influenza Crisis
What It Means for Eggs, Chickens, and Your Wallet
If you’ve been to the grocery store lately, you might have noticed egg prices creeping back up—or, in some cases, skyrocketing. The culprit? A new wave of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is hitting commercial poultry farms hard, and its effects are rippling through the food system. But what’s really going on, and how does it impact backyard chicken keepers, small farmers, and everyday consumers? Let’s break it down.
What’s Happening with Avian Influenza?
HPAI, commonly known as bird flu, is a fast-spreading virus that primarily affects poultry. It’s deadly to chickens, turkeys, and other domestic birds, and when an outbreak is detected on a farm, state and federal agencies require the entire flock to be culled to prevent further spread. Unfortunately, this means that millions of laying hens have been lost in recent months, significantly disrupting egg production.
While avian influenza isn’t new, this particular strain (H5N1) has been unusually persistent, spreading through wild bird populations and jumping back into domestic flocks. It’s also more widespread geographically, affecting farms across multiple states rather than being isolated to a few regions.
The Impact on Egg Prices
Whenever egg supply drops, prices go up—it’s basic economics. But the impact of this outbreak has been particularly sharp because of a few key factors:
Mass Culling of Laying Hens: Every time a commercial egg operation loses its birds to an outbreak, it takes months to repopulate and restore full production. This creates lasting supply shortages.
Seasonal Demand: Outbreaks have coincided with high-demand seasons (think holiday baking and winter comfort foods), further straining supply.
Feed and Labor Costs: Even before this outbreak, poultry farmers were dealing with rising costs for feed, labor, and transportation, making it harder to absorb losses and keep prices stable.
As a result, consumers are seeing higher egg prices at the store, and those who rely on small local farms for eggs may notice changes in availability as well.
What It Means for Backyard Chicken Keepers
If you have your own flock, you might be feeling a mix of relief (no need to buy expensive store-bought eggs!) and concern (how do you protect your birds?). The current outbreak is a good reminder to double down on biosecurity:
Limit Contact with Wild Birds: Waterfowl and other wild birds can carry the virus without showing symptoms. Keep food and water sources covered, and avoid letting your flock free-range near bodies of water.
Practice Good Hygiene: Change shoes before entering your coop, wash your hands after handling birds, and sanitize equipment regularly.
Monitor Your Flock: Symptoms of HPAI include sudden death, respiratory distress, lethargy, and a drop in egg production. If you suspect illness, contact your state’s agricultural department immediately.
Looking Ahead
The egg market is expected to remain volatile in the coming months, with prices fluctuating based on new outbreaks, recovery efforts, and shifting demand. If you’re a consumer, now might be a good time to support local farmers who prioritize biosecurity and animal welfare. And if you’ve been considering starting your own backyard flock, stay tuned—we’ll be covering that in an upcoming post.
Resources and contact information for avian influenza in Michigan:
For the most current information and guidance, please refer to these resources or contact the appropriate state or federal agency.
Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD):
Avian Influenza Information: MDARD provides updated guidance, personal protective equipment infographics, and other resources related to avian influenza.
Reporting Suspected Cases in Domestic Birds: If you suspect avian influenza in your domestic flock, contact MDARD immediately at 800-292-3939 during daytime hours or 517-373-0440 after hours.
Michigan State University (MSU) College of Agriculture and Natural Resources:
Avian Influenza Resources: MSU offers information on avian influenza, including guidance on who to contact if the disease is suspected in domestic or wild birds.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR):
Reporting Wild Bird Deaths: If you observe the death of three or more free-ranging wild birds, report it to the DNR through the Eyes in the Field app or by calling 517-336-5030.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS):
Avian Influenza Information: APHIS provides comprehensive information on avian influenza, including guidance for response and management of disease outbreaks.
Defend the Flock Resource Center: This resource center offers biosecurity information to help poultry owners protect their flocks from avian influenza.
How are you handling the current egg shortage? Let us know in the comments!
