The recent outbreak of avian flu has decimated poultry populations across the United States, leading to a drastic increase in egg prices and raising concerns about food security. The president of Hickman Family Farms, Glenn Hickman, has been vocal regarding the federal government's stance on avian flu vaccinations. According to a 12 News report, Hickman believes that the death of six million of his chickens could have been prevented had the government allowed him to vaccinate his flock.
Hickman argues that there is no "logical reason why we can't vaccinate our hens," insisting that a vaccine manufactured within the US could be the solution to a crisis that has pushed egg prices to record highs. Despite this, the USDA currently prohibits the vaccination of commercial chicken flocks, even though similar vaccines are effectively utilized in other countries. Hickman emphasized the difference between egg-laying hens and broilers, the latter being part of a larger chicken meat industry that faces concerns related to international export restrictions on vaccinated birds. This position is echoed by Dr. David Engelthaler of Arizona State University's TGen lab, who told 12 News that "Vaccination should be part of a multi-pronged strategy."
The severity of the avian flu epidemic has been felt throughout the industry. According to an AZ Family interview, Hickman's Family Farms alone has lost 1.1 million chickens this year. The shortage has reduced the country's bird capacity to about 275 million, significantly below the 330 million needed to meet domestic demand. Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.) has expressed support for vaccinating chickens against bird flu, believing it could help manage the egg market better and potentially shield humans from the virus as well.
Despite a USDA conditional license granted to a company for the development of a bird flu vaccine, Hickman remains apprehensive about the future. He argues that "We need to make every effort necessary to be able to utilize the vaccine," especially considering that the ongoing animal-to-human transmission of the virus could potentially escalate, as per AZ Family. Acknowledging the strain on consumers, Hickman, on behalf of Valley egg farmers, asks for patience and understanding regarding higher prices and purchasing limits. The USDA, now led by Secretary Rollins, is expected to outline a comprehensive strategy to tackle the avian flu in the days ahead.
