Hickman’s Family Farms Suspends Egg Production Due to Avian Flu

Categories: Arizona Business NewsArizona State News

Empty coops at Hickman's Family Farms reflect the severe avian flu impact on egg production.

News Summary

Hickman’s Family Farms, the largest egg producer in the southwest, halts most egg production for two years following a devastating avian flu outbreak that has killed 95% of its chickens in Arizona. The company faces significant layoffs while smaller producers maintain supply. The avian flu’s impact extends beyond poultry, affecting local wildlife, but consumer safety remains assured as no contaminated eggs have entered stores. Despite increasing wholesale egg prices, Hickman’s anticipates normal price stabilization soon and stresses the importance of vaccination to expedite recovery.

Arizona: Hickman’s Family Farms Halts Majority of Egg Production for Two Years Due to Avian Flu Outbreak

Hickman’s Family Farms, the largest egg producer in the southwest, has announced the suspension of most of its egg production for nearly two years due to a severe avian flu outbreak. The company has reported the devastating loss of 95% of its chickens in Arizona, leading to significant layoffs affecting hundreds of employees as the business works to rebuild its flock.

In just the last two weeks, the avian flu has killed approximately six million chickens. This significant decline in the population poses a major challenge for the company as it faces an extensive recovery period. While Hickman’s operations come to a halt, smaller egg producers in Maricopa and Colorado will continue to supply eggs, providing some relief to consumers amidst the crisis.

Glenn Hickman, president of Hickman’s Family Farms, indicated that the outbreak is not limited to the poultry industry; local wildlife such as sparrows, mice, and squirrels are also being adversely affected by the bird flu. The company has identified the outbreak at two of its West Valley egg farms, which collectively housed three million chickens before the disease spread. The infection was confirmed by the Arizona Department of Agriculture on May 15.

No Immediate Health Risks for Consumers

Consumers need not worry about their safety regarding egg consumption. Birds that contract the avian flu typically stop laying eggs promptly, ensuring that infected eggs do not enter the food supply. Hickman’s has guaranteed that none of the contaminated eggs have reached grocery store shelves, thus keeping consumer safety intact during this crisis.

Impact on Egg Prices and Supply

Despite the significant loss of chickens, Hickman does not anticipate a sharp increase in egg prices. He believes that prices, which have been declining since January, will normalize. However, recent data indicates that the wholesale price for eggs has surged to $5.81 per dozen, exceeding prices observed during previous spikes in the market. The current situation reflects a combination of escalating costs and a constrained supply resulting from the avian flu outbreak, contributing to the pressure on egg prices.

Current national figures reveal that the U.S. is home to 375 million egg-laying hens, marking a decrease of 11 million from the previous year and down by 31 million compared to the peak in 2019. This reduction in laying hens has resulted in a significant drop in wholesale egg inventories relative to the previous year.

Need for Vaccination

To expedite the return to normal operations, Hickman emphasizes the need for vaccination of poultry. Although a bird flu vaccine is available internationally, it has yet to receive approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) for use in domestic chicken flocks. The timely implementation of a vaccination program may facilitate a quicker recovery for affected farms and help stabilize egg production in the region.

The suspension of production by Hickman’s Family Farms marks a critical juncture in the industry, forcing larger operations to reconsider their strategies in light of recent events while smaller farms continue to function independently. As the company navigates this challenge, the overall impact on the egg supply chain remains to be seen, contingent on both recovery efforts and market adjustments as the situation unfolds.