Community Rallies Around South Suburban Family-Run Farm After Bird Flu Wipes Out Nearly 3,000 Hens
Farm Suffers Massive Financial Hit
Marty Thomas, the founder of Kakadoodle Farm in south suburban Matteson, a start-up dedicated to producing food free from chemicals, has been dealing with a devastating blow. Last week, the farm suffered a massive financial hit after a bird flu outbreak wiped out nearly 3,000 of their hens.
From 3,000 to Zero in 72 Hours
Thomas initially thought the problem was due to the cold weather, but things quickly got worse. “We went from having a perfectly healthy flock to, like, no flock in, like, 72 hours,” he said. The farm’s vet and the USDA were called in, and testing later confirmed that the flock had been hit by avian influenza.
Avian Influenza: A National Problem
According to the CDC, the outbreak of avian flu has been ongoing since 2022 and has affected all 50 states and over 600 counties. Experts say egg prices are up nearly 37% from this time last year, with no end in sight. “There’s no foreseeable end to the avian flu as we see it now. There’s very little the government can do,” said Phillip Braun, Clinical Professor of Finance at Northwestern University.
Farm on Quarantine, Launches GoFundMe
The USDA placed the farm on a 150-day quarantine, and Thomas has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to try and help the farm recover. “It’s like, kind of swallowing your pride a little bit, you know? So, excuse me, so, yeah, it was a, it was a really hard decision to post it,” he said.
Community Support
Instead of shunning the farm, the community has rallied around them, with thousands of dollars donated to help them through the setback. “From both our customers and our community it’s just been, like, unreal the support that we have felt,” Thomas said. Once it’s safe to start deliveries again, Thomas asks people to support them through their online platform.
Conclusion
The story of Kakadoodle Farm serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by farmers in the face of disease outbreaks. Despite the setback, the community’s support has given the farm a glimmer of hope for the future.
FAQs
Q: What is avian influenza?
A: Avian influenza is a type of bird flu that affects birds and can be transmitted to humans.
Q: How widespread is the outbreak?
A: The outbreak has affected all 50 states and over 600 counties.
Q: How will this impact egg prices?
A: Egg prices are up nearly 37% from this time last year, with no end in sight.
Q: How can I support Kakadoodle Farm?
A: Once it’s safe to start deliveries again, you can support them through their online platform.
