The ongoing avian influenza (H5N1) outbreak has devastated poultry farms across the United States, leading to unprecedented losses for egg producers.
Since early 2022, over 157 million birds have been affected nationwide, with the virus showing no signs of abating.
Greg Herbruck, CEO of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch in Michigan, has experienced the catastrophic impact firsthand.
In April 2024, his farms, located approximately five miles apart, were struck by the virus, necessitating the culling of all three flocks—a total of 6.5 million birds.
Herbruck described the ordeal as a “nightmare,” recalling sleepless weeks and the emotional toll on his team.
Similarly, Hickman’s Family Farms in Arizona faced severe challenges after losing nearly a million chickens to avian influenza.
The outbreak led to a daily shortfall of about half a million eggs, forcing the company to limit shipments to commercial customers.
President Glenn Hickman noted that repopulating the flocks to full capacity could take up to a year.
The widespread culling of infected birds has significantly disrupted the egg supply chain, causing prices to soar.
In January 2025, the average price for a dozen grade-A large eggs reached a record $4.95, nearly double the price from May 2023. Wholesale prices have also surged, with some buyers paying over $8 per dozen.
In response to the crisis, industry leaders are advocating for the approval and deployment of avian influenza vaccines to protect poultry flocks.
Herbruck emphasized the urgency, stating, “I’m just an egg farmer out here trying to say, ‘Hey, please, we need some help to fight this battle.'”
France’s successful vaccination campaign in 2023 led to a 12.1% increase in poultry output in 2024, offering a potential model for mitigation.
As the avian flu continues to impact poultry farms, egg producers are navigating unprecedented challenges, with many calling for enhanced biosecurity measures and vaccination strategies to safeguard their livelihoods and stabilize the egg supply chain.
