Egg prices are at record highs, with shortages common in stores. But why can’t customers find chicken breasts or thighs, despite the same store carrying limited egg supplies? Massachusetts farmer Stephen Hall, owner of Nallie Pastures Farm, explains.
It takes 20 weeks to get a new flock of chickens to mature and start laying eggs. When a farm destroys infected egg-laying chickens due to bird flu outbreaks, it takes at least five months for new hens to reach egg-laying age again. This limited supply of eggs contributes to the high prices and shortages.
However, chicken meat sold in stores comes from a different breed of chicken, known as “meat” or “broiler” chickens. These birds are bred for rapid growth and have shorter lifespans, making them less susceptible to bird flu. As a result, supply issues for broiler chickens haven’t been an issue.
At Nallie Pastures Farm, egg prices remain steady at $8 per dozen, while hens stay healthy. Hall’s farm uses this knowledge to provide a steady supply of eggs and maintain business health despite the challenges in the industry.
Source: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/egg-prices-shortage-chicken-question-everything