Hens Culled, Egg Shortage as Bird Flu Outbreak Spreads

‘We’re anticipating a flow-on impact to egg supplies in the coming week.’

Rescued chickens gather in an aviary at Farm Sanctuary’s Southern California Sanctuary in Acton, Calif., on Oct. 5, 2022. A wave of the highly pathogenic H5N1 avian flu has now entered Southern California as the fall bird migration sets in, raising concerns for wild birds and poultry farms in the region. Mario Tama/Getty Images

Tens of thousands of hens will be culled, threatening the supply of eggs in shops as a deadly bird flu strain spreads to a third Victorian poultry farm.

Avian influenza strain H7N3 has been detected at a Lethbridge farm owned by Farm Pride in the state’s southwest, sparking a safety alert for all bird owners including farmers and households with backyard chickens.