It seems periodic egg shortages are something we may have to get used to. The main culprit is avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu. Ironically, the increasing preference for free-range eggs in the name of animal welfare makes hens more susceptible to the pathogens carried by migratory birds and therefore more likely to contract the flu virus. With the free-range category now accounting for nearly half the eggs sold in Australia, outbreaks become more likely.

In May and June 2024, outbreaks of bird flu were detected in poultry in Victoria, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. Quarantine measures included euthanising all the birds on affected properties and imposing an exclusion zone around areas where the disease had occurred. It is estimated that around 1.8 million birds were destroyed. Suddenly, eggs were disappearing from supermarket shelves. Coles and Woolworths imposed a limit of two cartons per customer. McDonald’s even stopped serving breakfast after 10.30 am to reduce the number of eggs required.

The significant reduction in hen numbers was exacerbated by seasonal factors: in winter layers are less productive. However, the effect on egg availability wasn’t restricted to the months immediately following the outbreak. It took time for farmers to restock and the egg shortages continued through the following six months. This affected the major supermarket chains in particular as they mostly had contracts with large suppliers, many of whom had lost their flocks.

Although supplies recovered somewhat, December 2024 through January, February and March 2025 saw the egg shortage worsen. If you wanted to buy eggs, better get in early. At the end of the day, supermarket shelves were often completely devoid of eggs. Initially, industry spokespeople blamed it on the time it was taking to restock farms as well as a high seasonal demand over the Christmas and holiday period.  But by March, the suggestion was that, owing to the high cost of living, households were turning to eggs as a more affordable form of protein. An article in The Guardian mentioned the phasing out of caged eggs as one of the causes of the egg shortage as farmers transitioning to free-range need to update their infrastructure.

Although the bird flu outbreak of 2024 was contained and the virus eradicated, another outbreak was reported on a Victorian farm in February 2025. And disease is just one of the challenges faced by free-range poultry farms. Chooks allowed to forage outside can be snapped up by eagles or foxes. And, far from enjoying a more harmonious social life, can turn on each other with an increased likelihood of feather pecking, infighting, social stresses, and even cannibalism. Which makes you wonder whether free-range really is such a good thing. For chickens or for us.