Bird flu outbreak devastates Kakadoodle Farm in Illinois

A bird flu outbreak has hit Kakadoodle Farm in Matteson, Illinois, leaving the coop empty and silent. Once home to 3,000 hens, the farm has suffered massive losses as thousands of birds have been slaughtered to control the spread of the disease. This ongoing outbreak marks the worst avian influenza crisis in U.S. history, driving egg prices to record highs. The problems began in January when owner Marty Thomas noticed dead chickens in the coop. Initially, he thought they froze in the cold. However, the situation worsened quickly, leading to the death of hundreds of birds in just days. Despite efforts to keep the chickens warm and comfortable, the state Veterinary Department confirmed the farm's chickens tested positive for bird flu. Soon after, the USDA ordered the remaining birds to be slaughtered. The Thomases, who took over the farm in late 2023, faced financial ruin as their egg revenue is projected to drop significantly during the 120-day quarantine period. They had hoped to grow an egg business committed to pasture-raised chickens but are now left grappling with the effects of the outbreak. With federal funding cuts affecting their operations, they are worried about their financial future. Despite the challenges, the community has rallied around Kakadoodle Farm. Customers have sent messages of support, and donations to their GoFundMe campaign have increased. While the couple reflects on their journey and past struggles, they are determined to find a way to recover. They plan to renovate coops and improve biosecurity measures to protect their flock from future outbreaks. The fight against bird flu continues as farmers across the country remain vigilant.