A devastating bird flu outbreak has hit California's poultry industry, leading to the slaughter of over one million chickens and causing a surge in egg prices. The highly contagious avian flu virus has spread throughout Sonoma County, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency. In the past two months, nearly a dozen commercial farms have been forced to destroy their flocks in an effort to control the outbreak, resulting in significant economic losses for farmers, workers, and customers. The virus, which is primarily spread by migratory birds, has also affected Merced County in Central California, where several large commercial egg-producing farms have been hit hard.

California poultry farms are now implementing strict biosecurity measures to prevent further spread of the disease. State Veterinarian Annette Jones has urged farmers to keep their flocks indoors until June, including organic chickens that are typically allowed outdoor access. Bill Mattos, president of the California Poultry Federation, emphasized the need for vigilance in protecting the birds, especially with ongoing migration patterns.

The outbreak has had a profound impact on the egg market, with prices soaring to record highs over the holidays. The loss of local hens has led to a spike in egg prices in the San Francisco Bay Area, forcing supermarkets and restaurants to seek suppliers from outside the region. The price of a dozen eggs reached its peak at $4.82 in January 2023 before returning to normal levels as egg producers rebuilt their flocks and outbreaks were controlled. Turkey and chicken prices also experienced significant increases, partly due to the virus.

Experts warn that the current outbreak of bird flu, which began in early 2022, poses an existential threat to the commercial poultry industry. The virus has now spread to every inhabited continent except for Australia. Climate change is believed to be increasing the risk of outbreaks as changing weather patterns disrupt the migratory patterns of wild birds. In California, the recent exceptional rainfall has created new waterfowl habitats near poultry farms, facilitating the spread of the virus.

The outbreak has also affected backyard flocks, raising concerns about further infections and the potential spread of avian flu to commercial farms. Rodrigo Gallardo, a researcher at UC Davis, advises owners of backyard chickens to take precautions such as wearing clean clothes and shoes to protect their flocks from infection. If a significant number of chickens die, they should be tested for avian flu.

For Mike Weber, the owner of Sunrise Farms, the outbreak has been devastating. Despite implementing strict biosecurity measures, his entire flock of 550,000 egg-laying hens had to be euthanized after testing positive for avian flu. Weber and his employees spent the Christmas holiday disposing of the carcasses and have since been cleaning and disinfecting the hen houses. He hopes to regain federal approval to bring chicks back to the farm in the spring, but acknowledges the long road ahead for recovery. Despite the setback, Weber feels fortunate that two other farms co-owned by his company have not been infected and are still able to produce eggs for their customers.