Egg-Laying Hens Culled as Avian Flu Spreads in California
Poultry Farms in Petaluma and Merced County Devastated by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
PETALUMA, Calif. — The devastating impact of avian flu has reached the heart of California’s poultry farms as the highly contagious virus continues to spread. The news comes just a year after the deadly disease caused record egg prices and widespread shortages which affected the entire nation. In an effort to prevent the disease from infecting other farms, poultry farmer Mike Weber’s company, Sunrise Farms, has been forced to cull its entire flock of egg-laying hens – a figure of 550,000 birds. This tragic loss has dealt a severe economic blow to the region which is known as the Egg Basket of the World.
State of Emergency
Sonoma County, located north of San Francisco, has been hit particularly hard by the outbreak of avian flu, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency. In the last two months, nearly a dozen commercial farms in Sonoma County alone have had to cull over 1 million birds to contain the outbreak. Merced County in Central California has also been heavily impacted, with several large commercial egg-producing farms affected by the virus in recent weeks.
Climate Change and Migratory Patterns
Experts believe that the changing weather patterns caused by climate change are contributing to the increased risk of avian flu outbreaks. Disruptions to the migratory patterns of wild birds, particularly ducks and geese, add to the challenges. These waterfowl can carry the virus without showing any symptoms, easily spreading it through their droppings to chicken and turkey farms, as well as backyard flocks. As such, California poultry farms are implementing strict biosecurity measures to curb the spread of the disease. Even organic chickens, which are usually required to have outdoor access, are being urged to remain indoors until June urged State Veterinarian Annette Jones.
Widespread Impact
The recent outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which began in 2022, has already resulted in the slaughter of approximately 82 million birds, mainly egg-laying chickens, across 47 U.S. states, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. When the disease is detected, the entire flock is culled to prevent further spread. One of the consequences of the outbreak was the sharp increase in egg prices, with a dozen eggs reaching a peak of $4.82 in January 2023. While egg prices have since returned to normal and egg producers are rebuilding their flocks, turkey and chicken prices have also been impacted partly as a result of the avian flu.
Growing Concern for Backyard Chickens
With the number of backyard chicken flocks steadily increasing, industry officials are justifiably anxious about the implications should these flocks become infected, potentially spreading the disease to commercial farms. UC Davis researcher Rodrigo Gallardo emphasizes the importance of backyard flock owners taking precautions, such as wearing clean clothes and footwear to prevent contact with wild birds. Any unusual chicken deaths should also be tested for avian flu to limit the spread of the disease.
A Long Road to Recovery
For farmers affected by the outbreak, the process of recovery is a challenging and lengthy one. Despite implementing strict biosecurity measures, Sunrise Farms, with over a century of heritage, tragically incurred the virus in its hen houses. Although the company’s other farms managed to escape the outbreak, it will take time to rebuild the lost flock. The farm’s owners, including Mike Weber, remain determined to bounce back and continue their legacy.
