Earth Song Farm’s chickens, which freely roam the farm, have managed to steer clear of the bird flu that is currently affecting poultry farms nationwide. This has been a sigh of relief for the owner amidst the ongoing disruptions in the food supply chain.
Located in Lodi, Ohio, the farm’s owner is grateful that his chickens have remained unaffected by the bird flu outbreak, unlike many other farmers in the region who are facing significant challenges.
Owner of the organic farm, Stephen Andrews, says his chickens are happy, friendly and healthy.
“We have had thousands of chickens grow up here and we have rare to see a dead one.”
In the western part of the Ohio nearly 10 million birds mostly chickens have had to be depopulated because of the bird flu since late December.
As a result of the bird flu outbreak, there has been a noticeable decrease in the availability of eggs in stores, leading to soaring prices. Consumers are now encountering prices upwards of $6 or more per dozen, with certain retailers like Trader Joe’s and Costco implementing purchase limits to manage demand.
With the rise of cost, comes the rise of theft. Eggs being stolen out of a café in Seattle and highjacked from a processing plant in Pennsylvania.
As authorities nationwide try to crack these cases, Andrews says just let your chickens “cross the road” so to speak.
“I don’t understand why the big corporate places are totally enclosed and they never let their chickens outside. Why are they having bird flu issues?”
Andrews says his chickens are free range. They are already exposed to many of the ailments that can cause disruption to the supply chain and have built immunity to the wild birds and droppings that are believed to be causing the bird flu.
“I am just baffled myself. How that can be happening when we never have that issue here and we have birds flying around here all the time?”
Andrews believes letting his domestic fowls wander the farm might be the right way to fighting off the bird flu.
“Flu season always comes in the winter because we don’t have as much vitamin d from being outdoors and the sunshine maybe the same thing is happening with the chickens.”
