Eggs are Unbelievably Scarce in Montana: Ways to Buy Them

The price of a dozen eggs is skyrocketing in Montana, and across the entire United States. Anyone who has been in a grocery store in recent months has noticed strikingly high prices and/or shortage notices. Grocery store apps even have an 'egg shortage' notice when you open them.

What is the cause of this latest egg shortage? Bird flu. A "highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), known as H5N1" according to CBS News. Bird flu kills birds. Less birds means fewer eggs. Fewer eggs means higher prices.

If bird flu is detected on an egg farm, the entire flock of birds must be destroyed to protect against the spread of the virus. Rebuilding flocks takes time.

A hen does not produce eggs until they are about 20 weeks old...not to mention all the government approvals that a farm must get after an outbreak.

Prices of eggs have fluctuated before, and will continue to do so. Bird flu outbreaks are adding another layer of difficulty. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the (average) price of a dozen eggs:

• 2019: $1.54
• 2020: $1.48
• 2021: $1.79
• 2022: $4.25
• 2023: $2.51
• 2024: $4.15

Take notice of the two HUGE spikes in prices, in 2022 and again in 2024. Poultry insiders are expecting egg prices to surge another 20% in 2025. Breakfast, Easter, and everything else that contains eggs is getting more expensive by the day.

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• FUNFACTS ABOUT EGGS & CHICKENS
• A healthy hen will lay 4 to 6 eggs per week
• The color of the chicken's earlobe can determine (pretty much) what color the egg shells will be. White earlobes means white shells...red earlobes generally means brown shells.
• You don't get more protein by eating raw eggs like a bodybuilder. According to freshways.co.uk: "only 51% of proteins in raw eggs are digestible, a huge 91% of proteins in cooked eggs can be digested."
• Egg freshness test: When placed in a glass of water, a very fresh egg will sink and if it floats - it's probably old.

If you're tired of the egg cases being nearly empty at your local grocery, you DO have options across Montana to buy fresh eggs. Buying eggs (and other farm fresh goods) directly from a nearby farm is easier than you think.

• LocalHen.com - Fresh local food is easy to find near you. Search for farms, farmer's markets, etc. And it's not limited to eggs.
• Local Farm Fresh Eggs, International (Facebook Group) - If you travel a lot or just like to search for local farms across the country, check out this Facebook group.
• Straight from the Farm Fresh Eggs (Manhattan, MT) - This Montana farm produces eggs for grocery stores across the state, but they also supply restaurants and businesses directly.
• Black Dog Farm (Livingston, MT) - Pasture based pork and poultry farm in Livingston, Montana.