Ohio overtakes Iowa as the U.S. state with most egg layers
In a significant shift within the US poultry industry, Ohio has overtaken Iowa to become the state with the most commercial egg layers. This change, reported by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its February 2025 Chicken and Eggs report, marks a notable development in the egg production landscape.
In a significant shift within the US poultry industry, Ohio has overtaken Iowa to become the state with the most commercial egg layers. This change, reported by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) in its February 2025 Chicken and Eggs report, marks a notable development in the egg production landscape.
Historically, Iowa has been the leading state in housing commercial egg layers. However, outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) have severely impacted Iowa’s poultry farms, leading to a reduction in its egg-laying population. As of January 2025, Ohio led the nation with 39.9 million commercial layers, compared to Iowa’s 39.4 million. This shift is attributed to the extensive depopulation of flocks in Iowa due to HPAI, which has affected over 30.2 million birds since the first outbreak in April 2022.
Ohio’s rise to the top has not been without challenges. The state has also faced significant losses due to HPAI, with 24.2 million layers depopulated since the outbreaks began. Despite these setbacks, Ohio’s poultry industry has managed to maintain a higher number of egg layers compared to other states. In 2025 alone, Ohio has had 13.7 million layers depopulated, yet it still holds the highest number of commercial egg layers in the country.
The impact of HPAI on the egg industry extends beyond Ohio and Iowa. States with cage-free mandates, such as California and Michigan, have also seen substantial decreases in their egg-laying populations. California’s commercial layers dropped by 155% from January 2024 to January 2025, while Michigan experienced a 49% decrease during the same period. These reductions have raised concerns about supply disruptions, particularly in states that exclusively sell cage-free eggs.
Emily Metz, President and CEO of the American Egg Board (AEB), has emphasized that cage-free housing is not correlated with the HPAI outbreaks. However, she acknowledges that supply disruptions are likely to be more pronounced in states with cage-free mandates due to the disproportionate impact on cage-free farms. To mitigate these disruptions, some states may consider temporarily suspending cage-free housing laws.
Ohio’s new status as the leading egg-producing state highlights the resilience of its poultry industry amidst ongoing challenges. As the industry continues to navigate the effects of HPAI, Ohio’s ability to maintain its egg-laying population serves as a testament to its robust agricultural practices and infrastructure.
