The current egg shortage and skyrocketing prices have left folks confused and upset. While some blame inflation or humane farming practices, the primary cause is a bird flu outbreak, exacerbated by factory farming practices.
Bird Flu and the Egg Crisis
Since early 2022, the H5N1 strain of avian influenza has devastated U.S. poultry farms, resulting in the culling of over 130 million birds, including many egg-laying hens. This sharp decline in production has caused prices to surge. Yet, the poultry industry’s response has been baffling. To save costs, the agriculture industry has reportedly resisted implementing effective biosecurity measures, allowing the virus to spread unchecked and sticking taxpayers with a $1.25 billion bill in the form of federal aid.
The Cruelty of Factory Farming
Factory farms prioritize maximum output at minimal cost, at the expense of animal welfare. Hens in these operations endure horrific conditions, confined to wire cages so small they can’t move, frequently causing deformities. Or they are crammed into overcrowded warehouses among the sick and the dead, atop of mounds of feces. These are cruel realities the industry works hard to hide from the public. These painful, stressful, and unsanitary environments not only cause immense suffering but also serve as breeding grounds for diseases like bird flu.
When outbreaks occur, the response is equally inhumane. Entire flocks, sometimes in the millions, are culled using methods like ventilation shutdown, which causes birds to die slowly from heat and suffocation.
Some dismiss this cruelty, viewing chickens as dumb and unfeeling. But research shows chickens display a range of emotions, including excitement, anxiety, and distress. They also solve problems, form friendships, and communicate warnings to others. Their ability to suffer is undeniable.
Environmental and Public Health Costs
Factory farming’s impact extends beyond animal suffering. Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs) are major contributors to pollution and climate change. These facilities produce massive amounts of waste that contaminate water supplies and release potent greenhouse gases.
Additionally, the overuse of antibiotics in factory farms fosters drug-resistant bacteria, posing serious risks to human health. Agricultural workers face significant health and safety hazards, including exposure to zoonotic diseases. As with the bird flu, the public remains vulnerable to outbreaks and pandemics originating in CAFOs.
Big Ag’s Role and Influence
Farming practices are exempt from state animal cruelty laws, and there are currently no federal laws governing the treatment of animals raised for food. Contrary to outlandish claims that animal welfare groups hold undue influence, Big Ag wields immense power, dominating policy and regulation.
Michigan is a top egg producer. There are 17 facilities with egg-laying hens—housing nearly 17 million birds. They resemble nothing you think of when you hear the word “farm.” A cage-free law was passed in 2009, and egg producers had a decade to get their facilities into compliance. Implementation was then extended to the end of 2024. Big Ag is now using the egg shortage to claim humane laws are bad for consumers. Powerful agricultural lobbies consistently fight against animal welfare standards. Profit is the priority, regardless of the cost to animals, the environment, or public health.
Laying It All Out
The Avian flu outbreak and resulting egg shortage is a stark reminder of the failures and negligence of the factory farming industry. Unless we only care about the profits of Big Ag, for everyone’s sakes, we need stronger animal welfare laws and regulatory oversight that holds powerful corporations accountable.
While “cage-free” systems represent important progress, it’s not nearly far enough. True reform requires prioritization of animals’ well-being, environmental sustainability, and public health. Ten billion land animals are now killed for food each year in the U.S., compared to 2.5 billion in 1965. Federal and state standards for the treatment of farm animals are long overdue.
Consumers play a crucial role in advocating for systemic change. Recognizing that products from mistreated animals come with significant costs—to animals, the planet, and human health—is essential. Supporting humane and sustainable practices is not just a moral imperative; it is critical for an affordable, healthy, and just food system.