Backyard hen boom on the cards amid bird flu fears, seller says
A poultry market founder says bird flu fears could drive a spike in demand for backyard chooks to rival that seen during the COVID-19 pandemic if supermarket eggs become scarce.
A poultry market founder predicts a surge in demand for backyard hens as fears grow over the potential spread of H5N1 bird flu in Australia. If supermarket eggs become scarce, demand could surpass that of the COVID-19 pandemic's initial years. So far, no Australian poultry farms have reported bird flu infections, but the federal Agriculture Department has recorded over 300 cases.
Sunshine Coast poultry market founder Kate Grealy observed the high demand for laying hens during COVID lockdowns and believes a similar spike could occur due to ongoing bird flu concerns. Australians Eggs estimates a 7% loss in egg production from a previous avian flu strain in 2024. Backyard chickens may face some risk from H5 avian flu, but transmission is rare.
States and territories advise backyard flock owners to minimize risks and monitor their flocks for symptoms. Experts recommend keeping chickens enclosed to prevent infection, especially in areas with the most H5 cases. Some local councils have even dealt with abandoned roosters after backyard hen owners realized the mistake of purchasing unsexed chicks.
Written by urgent.news from ABC News AU's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
