ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — Egg prices are on the rise and bird flu is in the region. Take heed and hold your hens close.
Asheville has no shortage of demand for eggs. There are dozens of breakfast spots around the city, in addition to other egg-dependent meals: a boiled egg at ramen spot, for example, or the fried eggs that top burgers.
One popular breakfast stop is Biscuithead, located at 733 Haywood Road in west Asheville with three other locations around town.
According to Fern Coomer, general manager of the Haywood Road Biscuithead, eggs for the restaurant have been trickier to come by.
“I imagine it has to do with the bird flu epidemic,” Coomer said.
Coomer said that the epidemic has led to re-strategizing at Biscuithead.
“Currently, we’ve been getting eggs from our supplier, US Foods,” Coomer said. “We’re just looking around trying to find the best price.”
Coomer said Biscuithead had heard rumors that Sam’s Club had cheaper eggs. They were also looking at local farm JMJ Tomato Co.
As far as chickens themselves go, take advice from the “chicken lady” herself: Syrenity Burns, a team leader at Tractor Supply Co. in Weaverville, N.C., 14 Monticello Road.
“I know a little bit more about chickens than other folk here,” Burns laughed.
Burns said that Tractor Supply is still prepared to receive their chicks in time for the spring season.
“I don’t know if it was receiving chicks or setting up for chicks on the 17th, but we’re getting them soon,” Burns said.
While Burns has heard the reports of bird flu and made preparations for her chickens at home, she said that Tractor Supply has not remarked on the outbreak.
In fact, the disease has stayed away from Burns’ chicken orbit entirely.
“My neighbors haven’t seemed concerned with it and I haven’t heard about any customers that have been affected by it,” Burns said. “Or any of my coworkers.”
Nonetheless, Burns has advice for chicken owners who are worried about their flock.
“If anyone’s worried about getting it in their flock, I’d recommend not free-ranging,” Burns suggested. “I know a lot of us do. Me and my neighbors, we free-range, but I’m planning on building a run soon to kind of contain them.”
A chicken run is an outdoor space where chickens can roam outside in safe confinement.
“You have the coop where they go in to lay their eggs and go to sleep and the run is just like a fenced-in area where they can go outside and get some fresh air,” Burns clarified. “Then, you get a roof over the run so wild bird poop can’t get into the run either.”
Bird flu can be spread by wild bird feces in addition to saliva and mucus.
For more information about the bird flu outbreak in Buncombe County, read our story here.