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The USDA now predicts that egg prices will rise at least 41% this year, further driving up already record-high prices. Just last month, the predicted increase was 20%.
Egg prices reached a record average of $4.95 per dozen this month. Soaring costs are mainly due to the killing of more than 166 million birds, mostly chickens, to control the spread of bird flu. Last month, nearly 19 million chickens were killed en masse at farms.
Prices for eggs have risen so much that in some places, consumers are paying more than a dollar per egg. This has led restaurants like Denny’s and Waffle House to charge more for egg dishes.
Mass on-farm killing—known as “depopulation”—is extremely cruel, despite being legal. Approved killing methods include ventilation shutdown, which involves killing all the birds in a barn by turning off the ventilation system and often increasing the heat. The animals eventually collapse and succumb to heatstroke. This horrible death often takes up to two hours. Another method is the use of water-based foam. A barn is filled with thick foam that covers the birds and causes them to suffocate over several excruciating minutes.
Like other birds, chickens are unique, gentle animals who deserve a life free of cruelty. There’s no better time to leave eggs off your plate. You may even save some money! Eating plant-based is easier than ever with all the great vegan eggs and cooking tips available.
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