Nevada Rolls Back Cage Free Law

In 2021, when the national average of egg prices was under $2 a dozen, Nevada joined several other states requiring that eggs sold in the state come from cage-free chickens.  However, a dozen eggs costs an average of nearly $5 across the county, thanks to the bird flu.  In response last week, Nevada passed a new law, which the governor signed last week, suspending that cage-free law temporarily, in hopes of getting residents some relief at the checkout counter.

By relaxing the rule, Nevada might get access to additional eggs, but the supply of all eggs remains tight because nearly 159 million birds have been slaughtered since the bird flu outbreak began in 2022 to help limit virus spread.  It's not clear at this point if dropping cage-free laws will have a significant effect on the price of eggs.

University of Arkansas agricultural economist Jada Thompson said opening up Nevada to all kinds of eggs “could ease egg prices in Nevada very slightly,” but that it might make prices worse elsewhere because supplies are so tight.

Despite the Silver State's effort, it doesn't look like other states with cage-free laws, including Oregon, Washington California, Massachusetts, Colorado and Michigan will be changing course anytime soon.

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