With the outbreak of avian flu, over 30 million laying chickens have been euthanized nationwide.

Glenn Hickman, President and CEO of Hickman’s Family Farms, joined “Arizona Horizon” to talk about the impact of avian flu, the egg shortage and what is happening in Arizona.

Hickman’s Family Farms is the largest producer of eggs in the Southwest. Hickman explained more than 1 million of their chickens at Hickman’s Family Farms in Maricopa had to be euthanized. This has caused egg supply shortages and an increase in egg prices.

Hickman said the national flock is about 10 to 15% below what is needed to keep up with demand. Hickman also said his farms have taken all safety precautions but added that in order to eradicate the avian flu, a vaccine is needed.

“It’s been very difficult, our business is 81-years-old this year and we’ve built our business on service and customers and it’s been very difficult to maintain that record of supply,” Hickman said.