Egg farmers attack bird flu violently, bringing three lost flocks

Egg prices continue to rise and reach levels that have not been seen since. Inflation has risen Of the 9% in 2022, it attacked consumers and American farmers’ wallets.

Outbreak of Highly pathogenic avian influenza, Or avian flu is primarily responsible. The commercial flock, consisting of over 1,000 chickens, was wiped out as a result of the virus.

Greg Herbruck, a third-generation farmer and CEO of Michigan egg producer Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, told Fox Business that he wreaked havoc on all three farms where the virus is located about five miles from each other. He said he forced him to clull the whole supply.

Since the outbreak began in 2022, the industry has been fighting the avian flu. For Herbrack, it was the day before Easter in 2024, when the chickens contracted the bird flu.

Experts say the price of eggs won’t drop anytime soon

“It’s like someone bringing the ball back into your gut,” said Harcrack, who hopes officials will approve and quickly track a vaccine that farmers can use to protect their herds. “I’m just Egg farm “Hey, please, I need help fighting this fight.” ”

Harbrack said he went for weeks without sleep, and by the time the third farm got infected, one of the company’s executives was crying in his office.

“It was just awful…it was just nightmares of those many dead chickens,” he said.

This is the fourth year the virus has crippled farmers and continues to emerge in early 2025. Once the virus is detected, the farm is instructed to kill the entire herd and eradicate the disease. In the US food system.

As prices continue to rise with avian flu cases, US egg production will fall

The process of restructuring the operation is not easy as it takes several months for the farm to reach the point where it can start producing big eggs again.

After getting permission from the Agriculture Department, Herbrack said it would take about five months for the chicks to mature and begin laying quite a few large eggs.

To facilitate the process, the farm purchases mature chickens and begins laying eggs, while simultaneously raising young chicks. It can take up to two years for a farm to return to full production. In June 2024, Herbruck said the company began reintroducing birds to its farms, but it was operating only 70% of its pre-ears capacity.

Meanwhile, his workers are taking extra precautions. For example, they are transported to remote locations where you can change clothes. Some workers need to make changes twice to minimize the risk of contamination.

Avian flu vaccine: what do you know?

Harcrack has expressed growing concerns as the virus is currently shown to infect mammals. The virus was first detected in cattle in March 2024, and has since infected 968 dairy products in 16 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Last month, authorities reported that 66 people confirmed human cases of avian flu in the United States since 2024, including one fatality.

According to the Cleveland Clinic, humans can contract avian influenza through contact with the bodily fluids of infected animals. Infection can occur when small dust particles from an animal’s habitat are inhaled, touched by body fluids, or placed in the eyes, nose, or mouth.

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However, Herbrack is still concerned if the disease is airborne, but this has not yet been decided.

“We can’t rule out that virus or disinfect the air. These barns may have 150,000 birds. They usually change the air every 30-40 seconds. Even reasonable ” he said.

In addition to the fact that protocol farms have already taken it, Herbruck said the vaccine is the tool that is still missing. It’s not perfect, but “it’s something that can help us,” he said.