If your layers produce over the winter months , you may be in for a minor windfall . The price of eggs is skyrocket throughout the commonwealth as a shortage takes hold of the United States . This dearth has caused the price of a XII to double — and even triplex — in some states .
Why so eggspensive ?
Supply & Demand
Fears of an testis shortage first came to lightlate last surrender , as the extremely Pathogenic Avian Influenza ( HPAI ) epidemic which lead off in other 2022 continued to rage . This drastically impress commercial and backyard flocks in 47 land in the U.S.
agree to the US Department of Agriculture , nigh to58 million birdshave been lose to this orca computer virus in every state but Hawaii , Louisiana and West Virginia , with Iowa digest the most losses .
This drastic step-down in layers has taken its bell on egg production . This shortage was combine by the vacation time of year , as eggs are critical components in many looker from latkes and kugel to testicle peg and Christmas cooky .
Read more : What should you do when avian influenza hits your residential area ?
Rising Costs
The resulting inequality in supply and demand has caused egg prices to soar through the roof . According to theEgg Market News Reportreleased by the US Department of Agriculture on January 9 , 2023 , the price of a 12 large eggs currently ranges from $ 4.59 in the Midwest to $ 7.35 in California .
In some parts of California , the prices run even higher . In Lathrop , settle E of San Francisco , teacher Sindi Sheth note that a twelve prominent brown testicle at her grocery depot are presently priced at $ 7.99 . And organic eggs comport an even larger damage tag .
According to theUrner Barry Egg Index , the average damage of a dozen eggs hit $ 4.66 in December 2022 , liken to just $ 1.15 in December 2021 . Inflation has also toy a part in the step up monetary value of egg .
Cage-Free Production
Another central cause that California is facing such a dangerous egg crisis is because ofProposition 12 , the Farm Animal Confinement first step , which mandates that orchis - pose hen ( and other domestic livestock ) must be John Milton Cage Jr. free . This initiative took effect on September 1 , 2022 . Since John Cage - barren output expect more space than cage in testis production , California nut farms have been contend to keep up with the demand for eggs and the required changes .
California is not the only land that mandate cage - free ball production . Michigan , Massachusetts , Ohio , Oregon , Rhode Island and Washington also have cage - free laws .
And Colorado just became the eighth state to act out such a law . Colorado’sEgg - position Hen Confinement Standards , or HB20 - 1343 , command poultry keepers to provide at least one square infantry of coop space per biddy as of January 1 . By January 1 , 2025 , all hens must live in a cage - free system .
In addition , the sales event of caged eggs is no longer allow , with steady fines for violators . This new law is expect to negatively touch the egg shortage in Colorado and in states who obtain their eggs from Colorado testis farms .
Also read:4 rationality To Keep Chickens ( That Are n’t Egg Prices )
The Backyard Flock Owner
What does this mean for the backyard flock owner ? First and first off , continue practicingbiosecuritywith your birds . Watch forsigns of HPAI , peculiarly if your chicken browse freely in an region frequented by uncivilized bird .
secondly , if your biddy lay yr round of drinks and your municipality permit the sales event of backyard - flock bollock , you’re able to assist with your local famine while turning a tidy profit for your — and your girls’—efforts .
As a courtesy , mark with your regular customers first . It may just be that they can use an extra dozen or two … or have friends desperately seeking dozens who may become new regular for your egg occupation after the famine end .
