Bird Flu Kills 95% of Hickman's Arizona Flock, Triggers Layoffs

Hickman's Family Farms, the largest egg producer in the Southwest headquartered in Buckeye, Arizona, has lost approximately 95% of its Arizona hen population, about 6 million birds, due to a recent avian flu outbreak. Despite stringent biosecurity measures such as lasers to scare away wild birds, special uniforms, showers for staff, and vehicle disinfecting, the airborne virus spread rapidly, affecting multiple farms and forcing the euthanasia of millions of birds. The company expects to lay off hundreds of its roughly 850 employees and end its inmate labor program as a result of the outbreak. CEO Glenn Hickman does not anticipate significant increases in egg prices but notes the current downward price trend may halt. It is estimated to take around two years to repopulate the flock, with baby chicks being introduced at a rate of about 300,000 per month once facilities are disinfected. Hickman's is urging the federal government to allow vaccination against bird flu to help protect poultry in the future.