More room for chickens in California could mean costlier eggs

By SCOTT SMITH January 1

FRESNO, Calif. The new year is expected to bring rising chicken egg prices across the United States as California starts requiring farmers to house hens in cages with enough space to move around and stretch their wings.

The new standard backed by animal rights advocates has drawn ire nationwide because farmers in Iowa, Ohio and other states who sell eggs in California have to abide by the same requirements.

To comply, farmers have to put fewer hens into each cage or invest in revamped henhouses, passing along the expense to consumers shopping at grocery stores. California is the nations largest consumer of eggs and imports about one-third of its supply.

Jim Dean, president and chief executive of Centrum Valley Farms in Iowa and Ohio, said one of his buildings that holds 1.5million hens is about half full to meet Californias standards, and another building may have to be completely overhauled.

Farmers such as Dean in cold climates will have to install heaters to replace warmth formerly generated by the chickens living close together. Dean said thats something people in sunny California didnt consider.

Youre talking about millions upon millions of dollars, he said. Its not anything thats cheap or that can be modified easily, not in the Midwest.

California voters in 2008 approved the law backed by animal rights advocates to get egg-laying hens out of cramped cages and put them by Jan. 1, 2015, in larger enclosures that give them room to stretch, turn around and flap their wings.

State legislators followed with the companion piece in 2010 requiring the out-of-state compliance.

In anticipation, egg prices have risen already, said Dave Heylen of the California Grocers Association, adding that the holiday season, cold weather across the country and increased exports to Mexico and Canada also contributed to a year-end price spike. He said he expected that supplies would remain adequate to meet demand.

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More room for chickens in California could mean costlier eggs