A new avian flu outbreak in Victoria has added extra pressure to egg producers struggling to meet demand since the 2024 epidemic. Thankfully, the Forage Farms hens remain healthy; however, the demand for our delicious eggs is at record levels.
Customers wanting to ensure they don’t miss out on their breakfast staple should visit one of our local suppliers on the day our eggs are delivered! For Brisbane and Gympie customers, that day is Wednesday. Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast stores receive their orders on a Thursday.
The egg crisis has highlighted the need for more localised food systems. Smaller farms supplying their local market is a practical way to ease the burden on a largely centralised national system. The current focus on big egg producers killing all their birds exacerbates the problem by removing massive quantities of hens from the system. With only two hatcheries in the Eastern states, there are simply not enough birds, and the backlog gets worse with each new outbreak.
Whether by design or good luck, the Forage Farms laying hens still thrive. We like to think that this is because our birds are used to living with the elements and outside pathogens. With many free-range hens succumbing to the virus, it begs the question, ‘Is free-range the way to go?’ In reality, free range is just a nice term for a barn laid. These animals have the resilience of a barn bird, with access to the outside world and pathogens. It suggests that they are not strong enough and that there is a need to breed birds that are more resistant to the avian flu. The industry is researching a vaccine; however, it looks like a slippery solution with a constantly mutating virus.
Forage Farms eggs are available at select stores in Southeast Queensland. You can find your nearest supplier here.
