One of the more recent topics that seems to be coming up in conversations around town is the rising costs of eggs. H5N1 also known as the bird f lu is the main source of what is causing the price of eggs to skyrocket. The bird flu is widespread in wild birds throughout the world and is currently causing outbreaks in poultry, dairy cattle and even causing several human cases.

If egg prices are spiking now, what can we expect in terms of egg prices this spring? Spring is a season that the bird flu will spike due to the migration of wild birds, which is a main source of spreading the virus. From December 2024 through February 15th there have been more than 34.3 million egg-laying chickens that have been slaughtered due to the bird flu. Not only is it hard to see that many birds culled, but the recouping time is several months as it includes disposing of the animals, sanitizing the barns and then raising more birds.

The average price of a dozen of large eggs in December of 2024 was $4.15. In January that price increased by 19.5%. to $4.95. As of February 18th, the average price for the same number and size of eggs is now $7.74. That is a price increase of 56.4% since January and an increase of 86.5% since December!

Egg prices in our local stores vary greatly from most priced near or below the average and one store above the $7.74 current average. They range from $3.99 to $8.59 for a large dozen of eggs. Now $3.99 sounds too good to be true, but this would be the price after having a rewards card or a certain number of points is reached for a discount in addition to an online digital coupon.

Local egg carrying stores were priced twice in one week to see if there were any changes. Whether that be in price after a new sale advertisement came out or to see if there would be any quick fluctuations in the prices during the week. Only one store raised the prices of eggs within the three-day time period.

Even though the prices are higher than anyone would like to pay, we are still very fortunate to have prices lower than the average. We are also fortunate for not being limited or even as many grocery chains around the country, have no eggs available at all.

Lastly, there is one more silver lining. In Lake Andes, there is no city ordinance in regards to having chickens or the number of chickens that one can have within the city limits; though there is an understanding that if you do have chickens they are not to be free-roaming.