Bird Flu Hits 1.3 Million California Laying Hens

The USDA confirmed the California outbreak on October 28, following a separate outbreak in Illinois that affected 934,600 birds.

Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Agriculture

Bold flat-color editorial illustration of an empty row of wooden nesting boxes inside a weathered farm shed, evoking poultry losses in the state. — Bird flu has killed about 1.3 million laying hens in California, the USDA confirmed October 28, tightening egg supply in the state. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Is now a good time to stock up on eggs before prices rise?

Bird flu has affected approximately 1.3 million laying hens in California, according to the USDA, which confirmed the outbreak on October 28. The loss adds pressure to egg supply in a state where restoring production at affected farms can take months.

Why it matters

Laying hens supply table eggs, which are separate from the broiler chicken supply chain, so the losses do not directly reduce chicken meat production. Before farms can restock, they must contain the disease, disinfect facilities, and obtain regulatory approval.

Approximately 1.3 million laying hens were affected in California, versus 934,600 birds in the October 19 Illinois outbreak. The timeline for restoring production at affected farms is not yet known, and the extraction does not say whether additional outbreaks are expected.

The players

USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture is the federal agency that confirmed the California outbreak and publishes the Food Price Outlook referenced in this story.

The details

Eggs add texture and help bind and emulsify foods, and the loss of laying hens does not directly reduce chicken meat production. Suppliers must match delivery, packaging, housing, and egg size specifications when filling orders, and AI-supported planning tools let manufacturers weigh alternative suppliers and capacity before changing operations.

October 19, 2026: Illinois outbreak affects 934,600 birds.
October 28, 2026: USDA confirms the California outbreak.

Market Landscape

The USDA's October Food Price Outlook projects a 29.3% drop in retail egg prices from 2025 to 2026 and a 1.2% rise in poultry prices. The California losses put that forecast under pressure, since retail egg pricing depends on contracts, inventory, and pricing arrangements that the outbreak can disrupt.

Retail egg prices depend on contracts, available inventory, and pricing arrangements, so shoppers may see price effects that lag the outbreak. The USDA's forecast of a 29.3% retail egg price drop assumes supply recovers, which depends on how quickly affected farms can restock.

The takeaway

Recovery timelines for affected poultry operations can run from six months to a year, so price relief from restocking may come slowly. Planning for either recovery or further disruption is the prudent stance for buyers and suppliers alike.