Bird flu outbreaks have severely impacted commercial egg production, leading to record-high prices and supply disruptions across the US. Small-scale and backyard chicken operations demonstrate greater resilience against the virus compared to industrial facilities. The article explores how decentralized egg production through family-sized operations could create a more sustainable and resilient food system.
The USDA accidentally fired several employees working on the H5N1 avian flu outbreak response and is now working to reverse these terminations. The incident is part of broader Trump administration efforts to reduce federal workforce, led by Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency. The situation impacts critical bird flu response efforts amid rising egg prices and 68 confirmed human cases in the US.
US egg prices have risen 22.03% since early 2025, reaching a historic high of 7.09 USD/dozen in January, with projections indicating further increases to 9.67 USD/dozen within 12 months.