Butler County poultry farmers taking every precaution amid bird flu outbreak
Dave Jones understands the health and safety of his poultry birds isn’t just a priority. It’s the very foundation of his livelihood.
For more than three decades as the owner of Jones Turkey Farm, in Winfield Township, he’s picked up on all of the safest bird production practices.
However, the latest outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which began in early 2022 and has drastically risen in severity over the last several months, has left him particularly worried.
“I’m concerned, but I’m not panicking because I’m almost to 70 so I’ve been around for awhile,” he said. “I’m not stupid, and I’m not going to take any unnecessary risks.”
While the farm has typically focused on raising thousands of broiler chickens, colloquially known as meat chickens, he recently dove into raising egg-laying chickens.
Jones currently has 300 hens that regularly produce about 25 dozen eggs daily.
Local residents flock to his property for the $4-a-dozen eggs, which are nearly a dollar cheaper than the $4.95 national average.
While maintaining that operation, Jones has taken every possible precaution to protect his birds, including keeping them in a well-ventilated building that shields them from harmful conditions.
“There’s only two ways that I am concerned about when it comes to passing the virus,” Jones said. “One is human feet carrying germs in and the other is migratory birds flying overhead that could have the virus. I’m more afraid of migrating birds than anything else, and that’s why my animals are all under a roof.”
Jones said he will receive more than 4,000 young turkeys in stages beginning in early April.
Among several preparatory measures, he takes water samples that are inspected by the agriculture departments at both the state and national levels and also contracts a crew that sterilizes all of the pens.
After that’s completed, Jones prepares the homegrown feed and installs fresh bedding called PittMoss to ensure the birds’ feet remain dry during the first month of life, which is essential to their long-term health.
“It’s our livelihood. It isn’t just a hobby,” Jones said of his extensive work. “We take all the necessary precautions.”
Kevin Jarosinski, a first-generation poultry farmer who has operated Jarosinski Farms in Buffalo Township for nearly 18 years, echoed similar sentiments.
“We take care of our paycheck because our paycheck are the animals,” said Jarosinski, who owns 350 egg-laying hens. “Health is huge whether it’s in the barn or in the chicken house.
“Without the care, there isn’t productivity. Without productivity, there’s no profit.”
On Wednesday, President Donald Trump’s administration announced a $1 billion plan to strategically curtail the spread of avian influenza and lower the costs of eggs for consumers.
According to a news release from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the five-pronged strategy includes an additional $500 million for biosecurity measures; $400 million in financial relief for affected farmer; and $100 million for vaccine research, action to reduce regulatory burdens and exploring temporary import options.
Trump’s investment is an encouraging sign for Jones, who alleges that former President Joe Biden’s administration did not do enough to support struggling farmers across the country.
“The prior administration should have been looking for a vaccination,” he added.
For the moment, local farmers are continuing to look for any silver lining in the midst of a national crisis with seemingly no end in sight.
“You can’t see a virus, so you just hope that his almighty protects your flock, and that’s where we’re at,” Jarosinski said.
