Cal-Maine Foods disclosed on April 2, 2024, that a facility in Parmer County, Texas, had tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. The company temporarily stopped production at the site while following USDA protocols. Its fiscal 2025 annual report later said the affected Texas and Kansas facilities were fully operational.
Why did Cal-Maine halt egg production in Texas?
The company said it paused production after the Parmer County facility tested positive for HPAI. Cal-Maine reported that it was following USDA protocols and arranging production at other facilities to reduce disruption to customers. Its April 2, 2024 release did not identify how the virus entered the facility, so the source of infection is not established by that disclosure.
Cal-Maine reported that approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets were depopulated. The company said those birds represented approximately 3.6% of its total flock as of March 2, 2024. The percentage refers to that dated company-wide flock figure, not to the share of eggs sold or to a measured effect on national supply.
Were eggs recalled after the Texas bird flu detection?
No eggs had been recalled, and Cal-Maine said it knew of no HPAI risk associated with eggs then on the market, according to the company’s April 2, 2024 release. Those were the company’s statements about the situation at that time; they are not a blanket guarantee about later events.
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#1 Best Overall
- 【STABLE TEMPERATURE】: The circulating airflow system driven by a strong fan provides a stable temperature condition for the eggs.
- 【EXTERNAL WATER REFILLING】: Refilling water without opening the incubator lid, avoid causing the interior temperature & humidty suddenly drop a lot.
- 【BUILT-IN EGG CANDLER】: A convenient way for you to observe the development of embryos, no need to buy additional egg candler.
- 【AUTOMATIC EGG TURNER】: Side-to-side turning the eggs automatically at 60 minutes interval, and also can auto-stop turning 3 days before hatching to avoid excess turning.
Is the Texas facility still closed?
Cal-Maine’s fiscal 2025 Form 10-K later reported that the Texas and Kansas facilities affected by HPAI in fiscal 2024 “are now fully operational.” This is the company’s subsequent reported status, not a claim of an independent inspection of the site.
What does bird flu mean for people and poultry?
USDA APHIS says avian influenza can spread through direct contact between birds and through contaminated materials, including manure, egg flats, crates, equipment, clothing, shoes and hands. APHIS says there is no treatment for HPAI and that depopulating affected and exposed poultry is the means of stopping the disease. These control steps explain why a detection can lead to a production pause and removal of birds; they do not establish how this particular facility became infected.
Rank #2
- 【Apdoe 2026 Upgraded HatchPro 12 – Precision Temperature & Humidity Control】Equipped with an advanced digital control system, the HatchPro 12 features real-time temperature and humidity display for at-a-glance monitoring. Precise controls help maintain the optimal environment for successful hatching.
- 【Automatic Egg Turning Every 2 Hours】Gentle horizontal rotation mimics a hen’s natural turning behavior, supporting healthy and even embryo development. Eliminates the need for manual turning and frequent lid opening. The egg tray can be easily removed during the final 3 days.
- 【Innovative 2-in-1 Humidity Control System & Adjustable Air Vent】The AB humidity control tray with automatic dual external water bottles supports multi-stage humidity management, requiring only 1–2 bottle refills for the entire incubation period and eliminating daily water checks. This design, with an adjustable air vent, provides flexible and precise humidity control for hassle-free incubation.
- 【360° Transparent Dome & Built-in Egg Candler】Fully transparent 360° dome lets you monitor eggs from every angle without opening the lid, while the built-in egg candler makes it easy to track embryo development. Watch the journey from egg to chick—educational and fascinating!
- 【Easy to Detach & Clean】The incubator features a removable tray that makes cleaning quick and simple. Simply rinse the trays in the sink—no hard-to-reach corners! Do not put any parts in the dishwasher, as high heat may cause deformation.
For human surveillance, CDC’s October 2, 2026 update, covering data through September 26, 2026, said its systems showed no indicators of unusual influenza activity in people, including avian influenza A(H5). That dated finding concerns monitored human activity; it does not mean HPAI is absent in animals or that future risk is zero.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the company said about preventing future outbreaks
In its April 2, 2024 release, Cal-Maine said: “The Company continues to work closely with federal, state and local government officials and focused industry groups to mitigate the risk of future outbreaks and effectively manage the response.” The company also said: “The Company remains dedicated to robust biosecurity programs across its locations; however, no farm is immune from HPAI.” Both are company statements, not attributed remarks by an individual or independent assessments.
Rank #3
- 【Automatic Egg Turning】🐣The chicken incubator is designed with automatic egg rotation cycles mimic natural hen behavior. Automatic egg turning feature rotates the eggs for 10 seconds every 2 hours. Please remove the egg turner tray at the last 3 days to stop turning the eggs. Get ready for the chicks to hatch.
- 【Intelligent Control for Temperature】🐣 This professional-grade small incubator is with temperature led display and smart control system. The built-in 360° fan-driven circulation helps promote internal airflow and maintain a stable temperature for the incubating eggs.
- 【Automatic Water Refill & Humidity Control】 🐣 The external auto water refill system helps maintain stable humidity during incubation. The humidity display allows easy monitoring, while the adjustable air vent helps regulate airflow. Dual water bottles enable refilling without opening the incubator lid and reducing humidity changes.
- 【360° Clear Viewing & Built-in Egg Candler】 🐣Experience every stage of incubation with the built-in egg candler light and crystal-clear 360° transparent dome. Easily check egg development, observe changes inside the egg, and enjoy a closer look at the amazing hatching process—all without interrupting the incubation environment.
- 【Easy to Detach & Clean】🐣 Wipe the control panel and transparent dome with a damp cloth, while the removable egg tray and base can be rinsed directly to remove residue. Dishwasher use is not recommended, as high heat may cause deformation(After cleaning, let the machine dry completely for 24 hours before storage) .
USDA APHIS describes federal poultry response efforts involving biosecurity, indemnification, repopulation, supply and research. The details of those programs can change over time.
Quick Recap
Rank #4
- 【Automatic Egg Turning with Adjustable Intervals】Gentle horizontal egg turning helps improve hatch rates. Customize turning intervals for different species—choose from 1h / 2h / 3h, with a real-time countdown to the next rotation. Automatically stops turning during Lockdown (last 3 days) to ensure safe hatching.
- 【Two Egg Trays for Different Egg Sizes】The standard tray (18-slot) holds 18 chicken or up to 50 quail or other small bird eggs, while the large tray (8-slot) fits 8 duck, goose, or turkey eggs. Designed to accommodate a wide range of egg sizes for versatile incubation.
- 【Fully Adjustable Incubation Day & Cycle (2026 Upgrade)】Manually set incubation day and cycle for any species. Automatically enters Lockdown based on your settings. Eggs transferred mid-incubation can be set to the correct incubation day, enabling real-time tracking and Lockdown at the correct time.
- 【Temperature & Humidity Alerts (Alarm Optional – 2026 Upgrade)】Instantly notifies you of temperature or humidity issues. Alerts can be turned off, a feature most other incubators lack—perfect for dry incubation users without constant annoying alarms.
- 【Automatic Water Refill & Precise Humidity Control】The external water bottle refills automatically, with only 2–3 water bottle refills needed throughout incubation. No lid opening or daily refills required. Adjustable air vent and multi-level water channels provide precise and flexible humidity control.
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