Why are eggs so eggspensive?

Egg prices have surged recently due to several key factors:

1. Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects birds, especially poultry. The most concerning strains are highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses, such as H5N1 and H5N8, which can cause severe illness and death in birds.
   Impact on Egg Prices:
2. Mass Culling of Infected Birds: To control the spread of HPAI, infected and exposed birds are often culled. Since the current H5N1 strain reached the United States in 2022, over 148 million birds have been euthanized, significantly reducing the population of egg-laying hens. cbsnews.com
3. Supply Reduction: The loss of a substantial number of laying hens has led to a decreased egg supply. This scarcity has driven egg prices to record highs, with retail prices increasing by 13.8% in January 2025 alone. english.elpais.com
4. Increased Production Costs: Farmers have had to invest in enhanced biosecurity measures to prevent further outbreaks, leading to higher operational costs. These expenses are often passed on to consumers, contributing to rising egg prices. wsj.com

Animal Cruelty
Many vegans avoid eggs due to concerns about animal cruelty and exploitation in the egg industry. Here are some key reasons:

1. Male Chick Culling – Since male chicks don’t lay eggs and aren’t profitable for meat in the egg industry, they are often killed shortly after hatching, usually through maceration (grinding) or suffocation.
2. Hens’ Living Conditions – In factory farms, egg-laying hens are often confined to small cages or overcrowded barns, leading to stress, injury, and disease.
3. Exploitation of Hens – Even in cage-free or free-range systems, hens are bred to lay unnaturally high numbers of eggs, which depletes their bodies of calcium, leading to health issues like osteoporosis.
4. Slaughter of “Spent” Hens – Once hens’ egg production declines (usually after 1-2 years), they are slaughtered, even though they could live for several more years.
5. Ethical Concerns about Ownership – Some vegans argue that taking eggs, even from backyard hens, involves exploiting an animal for human benefit, which goes against vegan principles.

Some alternatives include plant-based egg substitutes made from chickpeas, mung beans, or flaxseeds. Would you like recommendations for egg alternatives?