From Our Print Edition

The nation lost perhaps 60 million laying hens to bird flu since the virus struck last February, cutting the average egg supply by about 7.5% each month. The disease is starting to wane, but when new birds are added to sanitized facilities, it takes four to five months for the hens to hit peak production of 24 eggs per month. Of course, bird flu may pick up again in warmer weather this spring. So it’ll be a slow return, and this doesn’t factor in rising costs of fuel, feed and packaging. As prices have skyrocketed and supplies have been tight, some retailers have limited purchases by shoppers.