Egg Prices Are Set to Spike, and Here’s Why It’s a Good Thing

[Omaha Steve]

Chickens won't necessarily be given wide-open pastures like this under California's new laws, but they'll have a little more room than they used to. (Photo: Getty Images)

California may push the rest of the country to treat egg-laying hens a little better.

December 29, 2014 By Shaya Tayefe Mohajer

TakePart News Editor Shaya Tayefe Mohajer is a journalist who has worked in many corners of the world for major news organizations.

On New Year's Day, your brunch may cost a bit more.

That's the price you'll pay when California's 15 million egg-laying hens have a bit of room to spread their wings after landmark animal-welfare laws are implemented Jan. 1 to abolish the close confinement of farm animals in crates and cages.

University of California, Davis, agricultural economist Dan Sumner tells The Los Angeles Times that prices for wholesale eggs are expected to rise 10 to 40 percent next year, as farmers compensate for the infrastructure upgrades and flock reductions to give the birds more space.

For decades now, industrial farms in the U.S. have crammed hens into 8-inch-square wire confinements, stacked together in a massive clucky clump that animal-welfare advocates say is cruel and conducive to disease—while farmers argue it's safe and a small price to pay for cheap, quality protein. California's new law allows cages but says farm animals must have enough room to "turn around freely, lie down, stand up, or fully extend their limbs."

FULL story at link. Also>>> Everything You Need to Know About Egg Labels: http://www.takepart.com/article/2014/04/03/understanding-egg-labels

[dhill926]

1. very happy with our state on this....

it's a good start.

[OregonBlue]

42. They've doubled where I live. Good to know why.

[yeoman6987]

2. Nice for the chickens, horrible for the poor

At least they have extra gas money to cover the increase. The poor never get a head. One step forward two steps back. So sad.

[mopinko]

4. well they will probably at least be getting more nutritious eggs.

at least the extra buck will get them a better product.

[NYC_SKP]

28. And possibly save on the medical care end of things.

Big picture, Mo.

It's not about cost, it's about quality and getting back to simplicity.

I can't believe that anyone would suggest for even a minute that we should continue confining chickens two to a sheet of paper so that costs will be lower.

Please tell me that I'm misreading that reply.

[mopinko]

31. well, that's how i read it, but i sympathize

eggs are a reliable, cheap source of protein for a lot of people.
but people who rely on them, especially, need that better quality egg.
and there is no doubt they will be better eggs.

[NYC_SKP]

33. We agree, and the challenge of providing quality nutrition is a war we're losing.

I might think too hard about these things but there are constant reminders.

We all know how hard it is already for the underclass, the working poor, etc., to find nutrition that isn't drowning in fats and preservatives, any original nutrients removed by processing.
Local neighborhood markets replaced by mostly liquor stores that also carry food and drink.
And many folks get their goods there, not knowing any better or not having transportation, or both.
Even if they can get to a Food for Less, they're unlikely to select good produce and proteins, opting more for fast easy to prep foods.

The new trend around here are Dollar Trees, Dollar Stores, and Family Dollar Stores that carry an increasing number of food products in addition to the $1 crap.
I am certain that people are shopping almost exclusively there for their food.

And that is very frightening.

[SoapBox]

7. Egg prices have been all over the planet here in SoCal, at least for a year...

It's been so weird and the new law wasn't even in effect.

We have seen and heard a couple of reports lately by egg producers...while they were whining, it also sounded like the think they can just jack up prices even more (as in price gouge for bigger profit) and blame it on the law.

We're endlessly amazed how big business seems to take well intended regulations and screw us even worse!

[Omaha Steve]

48. Part of that was the drought

A few states are still trying to fight this in court.

[Mojorabbit]

51. I have five chickens and the price of feed is through the roof

Mine have a huge pen and can't free range because of resident hawks. My husband used to say that my eggs were the most expensive in town when feed prices were factored in. LOL

[Aerows]

54. Through the roof?

What are you feeding your girls?

And yes, hawks are an issue here, too. You can put a canopy over the yard very cheaply, though, and it also reduces other pests.

[Mojorabbit]

56. Organic laying mix and scratch.

I have 1 and a half acres and the hawks perch across from the chicken house and watch. They have a lot of room and I like not having to worry. I lost one many years ago to a hawk. Also have feral cats that showed up this past year. I have trapped one so far and adopted it out but have four more to go.

[Aerows]

57. Have you considered

a canopy that deflects the vision of aerial predators? It's cheap - a black thatch that you can put over where the chickens are, but it disrupts the hawks ability to snatch them because their vision is interrupted.

It may or may not work for you, but I've seen others that have had good results.

[Mojorabbit]

58. Do you have a link?

They have a 10'x10' x8' foot house with three levels but I would like them to get more exercise. I did a quick search but did not come up with anything matching your description.

[Omaha Steve]

59. Here is more on the price swing

http://www.omaha.com/money/california-animal-welfare-law-could-cause-higher-egg-prices-countrywide/article_4d805bf5-f644-5e7f-a4db-751a04b7c1a7.html

About 1/3 of the way down: Already, the specter of California’s regulations is believed to be contributing to record prices for eggs. The average wholesale cost of a dozen large eggs hit a peak of $2 on Thanksgiving Day — doubling in price from the start of November before settling this week to about $1.40. Higher prices come at a time when soaring meat prices are expected to help push U.S. egg consumption to its highest level in seven years.

[Recursion]

10. It's noise compared to transport costs

Which will be down because of the oil price collapse.

[hfojvt]

19. Are you claiming that the poor actually eat eggs?

Yuck.

"I still say that anything that eats eggs is a dragon" says the bird to Alice in Wonderland

[Gormy Cuss]

34. The poor always get the short end of the stick when prices rise quickly.

We should have better SNAP benefits to address that. For everyone else though, the increase in the cost of eggs is trivial compared to other cost increases in recent years and reducing the use of battery cages is long overdue because it's absurdly cruel treatment of hens.

[mucifer]

49. There is a company working on a very cheap plant based egg replacer

with the goal being better for the environment and cruelty and cheaper than eggs. If the chickens have twice as much space, they still can barely move.

[mopinko]

3. its a good law, and a real boon to the folks who do it right,

and have to compete with those who dont.

and besides, it just might encourage more people to keep their own chickens. win win.

[missingthebigdog]

6. Great minds think alike, lol

[missingthebigdog]

5. Wonder where the tipping point is?

These new regulations will have no cost impact on producers who already free-range their hens. This should make smaller, local producers more cost competitive.

Chickens are pretty easy to raise. It is insane that eggs have to be shipped in from other states. Of all of the things that are ripe for a "eat local" campaign, eggs should be at the top of the list.

[Aerows]

15. Goats are easy too

Goat milk is nutritious, and has less lactose than cow milk so many more people can consume it.

[missingthebigdog]

21. We have both

But I have found the goats to be a bit more challenging.... They are escape artists, and can go downhill fast when they get sick.

That being said, I am extremely pro-goat. I think any jurisdiction that does not prohibit dogs should not prohibit goats. They are quieter, cleaner, and keep the grass cut.

[Aerows]

22. Goats are hilarious

escape artists! I share your views, though. Dogs can be just as bad and far more destructive.

[NYC_SKP]

29. I am totally Pro-Goat. We need to elevate the Goat Profile.

I'm a farm boy- we raised and butchered our own chickens, had rabbits and turkeys from time to time but never goats.
I wish we had!

[Aerows]

43. We really do

I'm opposed to the saying "no more sense than God gave a billy goat" because frankly, they are extremely intelligent creatures. They can be a terror on cloven hooves if they aren't treated well, but if they are, goats will do just about anything to please you.

[cwydro]

52. I have chickens

but I would love to get goats as well.

[hunter]

50. My niece is very enthusiastic about goats.

Our ancestors were strictly dairy and cattle people who looked down upon the goat herders, but we no longer live in their uncrowded world.

Goats eat damned near anything, even here in California poison oak growing under the eucalyptus trees, yet their milk still makes very tasty cheeses, more flavorful than any cheese made from cow's milk.

[Aerows]

53. I do not know why

their milk comes out so tasty, but it does, despite them eating plants that would kill a cow.

If you treat them well, they have good dispositions. Treat them badly, and well, you are in for it. Ignore them, and as others in the thread stated they will introduce themselves to your convertible.

They like attention. If they get enough of it, they are sweet as pie, and are actually weirdly defending of you, in their odd goat kind of way! Maybe it is a herd thing.

[hfojvt]

20. when I was a kid in the 1970s

my dad always got eggs from a local farm

[Aerows]

44. This tickled me :)

[Aerows]

8. Chickens are the easiest thing to have

beyond goats in an agricultural setting. Novices can have goats and certain breeds of chickens, have milk, eggs, and keep their hedges trimmed.

Australorps kind of rock .

[BrotherIvan]

11. My fantasy later in life

Goats and chickens and a big ass garden! Goat milk kefir and ice cream, mmmm. And pastured eggs put all others to shame!!!

[Aerows]

17. Mine too

I can't really see why that is a bad dream for anyone!

[BrotherIvan]

12. Check it out

#t=72

[Spitfire of ATJ]

25. It's all fun until they start climbing on your car.

[Kilgore]

26. It happened to me

Went to see a friend who happens to have a few goats roaming the property. While we were inside, one of them decided to climb my car. It was quite the surprise to find a goat on your hood eating the rubber from your wipers!

[Spitfire of ATJ]

40. Even worse if you provide them with their first experience with a rag top.

[RiverLover]

9. Great news! Thanks for sharing. nt

[roody]

13. I voted for this!!!

[Hulk]

14. Many homes raise their own up here in the Pacific Northwest

Maybe they do elsewhere? I am all for it. If it means eating a few less, or paying a bit more? Understand, I'm living off a pretty modest Social Security check and a half pension of about the same, and there isn't any "extra money" in my future. But I'd gladly pay a bit more for quality life and produce. I'd do without before I buy "Made in China", as much as possible. I hate buying beef that I have no idea where it came from, or poulty, or pork, etc. I'd rather buy local, and I plan to buy a quarter beef or half beef in the near future from a local farmer that I can trust doesn't treat their animals in torturous, inhumane ways.

Saying all that, I have my wife to contend with. She doesn't think twice about buying China. She can dig the animal change, however. It drives me nuts to think my beef comes from ONE plant on the east coast, and I eat the same scraps as the guy in Louisiana, North Dakota, Florida and every other corner of this country. It can't be that much more expensive to get local??

[mopinko]

32. chicago is getting downright lousy w chickens.

and many of the local anti-chicken laws have either fallen, or are being challenged.
i think it is happening in a lot of places.

[Unknown Beatle]

16. Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Corporations will always attempt to skirt the law.

[SunSeeker]

18. We used to have Rhode Island Reds we kept it the back yard.

My dad built a big wooden chicken coop for the three hens and one rooster. They had the run of our big back yard. Never had to mow the grass and we had all the fresh brown eggs we could handle, even gave some to the neighbors for putting up with our rooster alarm clock. I can't imagine those chickens being confined to a 8 inch square cage.

[Cryptoad]

23. Hey,,,,

everybody knows that only Commies are Kind to other animals. Geeez

[Spitfire of ATJ]

24. When being humane is considered "bad" you KNOW capitalism is evil.

[meow2u3]

27. Egg prices have already spiked in PA

At the farmer's market across the street from me, brown eggs are now $2.69 a dozen, up from $1.89 last month.

[Worried senior]

30. We've been paying $2.50/dozen

for eggs for several years now and it is not a problem.

We also live on SS and a small pension but knowing we are getting humanely raised, farm fresh eggs is worth it to me. Jumbo eggs in the store are around $2.00/dozen and may be more now so I would much rather put the extra into decent food than not.

[dawg]

35. Have no fear, egg buyers of America.

Georgia and Arkansas will be happy to pick up any slack. Both states (and probably others across the South) are happy to torture chickens for fun and profit.

[Bluenorthwest]

38. California is a huge market for other egg producing States and they have to meet CA regs to sell

them there. 6 States are currently suing CA over this law. CA has the upper hand. Largest egg consumer in the country.

[dawg]

39. In that case, it might actually work.

Although the more likely outcome, in my opinion, will be a two-teared standard for eggs.

[polly7]

36. Food should not be cheap,

(and wages should be set at a rate to afford it.)

[Zorra]

37. Great news, especially for hens. nt

[NickB79]

41. Glad I have my 5-hen flock!

9 months old, and they're laying a total of 15-20 eggs a week, even though it's winter here in Minnesota.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152703344096847&set=pcb.10152703344461847&type=1&theater

[ohheckyeah]

45. We get our eggs locally

from two different. One person has the Taj Mahal of chicken coops - both places the chickens are free range. They charge us $1.25 a dozen but my husband always gives them more. The eggs are fabulous with yolks that are dark orange and delicious.

[Aerows]

46. I get huge brown eggs

know where they came from and have seen the birds. They are pretty happy if their glossy feathers are any indication.

[ohheckyeah]

47. That's what we get along with blue eggs.

One person hasn't had many eggs lately because a hawk has been killing their hens.

[Aerows]

55. Hawks are a problem

You can put a canopy over the yard (not the whole yard, just where the chickens are). There are several varieties - some just to deflect the vision of aerial predators.