How is Spring Creek Protecting Quail From the Bird Flu?

There's been a lot of chatter — inside and outside the coop — about Avian Influenza and rising egg prices. With so much information (and misinformation) swirling around, we want to take a moment to set the record straight and share how we're keeping our flock safe — and prices low.

Avian Influenza (AI), known as bird flu, is no stranger to poultry farmers. This highly contagious virus has swept through farms across the globe, leaving behind skyrocketing egg prices and some big headaches. But here at Spring Creek, we're not ones to sit back and let it ruffle our feathers. We've taken serious steps to protect our flock and keep our eggs affordable for your table.

What exactly is the bird flu?

The bird flu is caused by influenza type A viruses, primarily infecting birds. One strain, H5N1, has been making headlines due to its ability to spread quickly and wreak havoc on commercial poultry farms. In January 2025, Ontario saw another outbreak in commercial flocks. It's the kind of news that puts everyone on high alert, and rightly so — AI has hit the poultry industry hard in recent years.

How does it affect quail?

Here's the good news: quail are pretty tough little birds. Unlike chickens, turkeys, and ducks — species more prone to the virus — quail naturally have a higher internal body temperature. AI doesn't stand up well to heat. While this doesn't make quail immune, it does make them less susceptible, giving us an edge in keeping them healthy. That said, we don't take chances regarding our flock's health.

This is how we are protecting the ladies

If you've met Gerardo, our farm manager, you likely know he is highly protective of our quail. Gerardo doesn't mess around. Since we were first alerted of the outbreak in the United States, Gerardo and the team doubled down on biosecurity to ensure AI doesn't come near our barns.

Here's a look at what we're doing:

Locked-Down Facilities: Visitors? Nope. Only essential personnel are allowed near the barns, and they must follow strict hygiene protocols, including full washdowns, before they come and go.

Spotless Sanitation: Our equipment, vehicles, and facilities are cleaned and sanitized like clockwork. We've even stepped up these procedures to leave no room for error.

Increased Pest Control: Rodents and other pests can carry AI, so we've beefed up our pest control efforts to keep them far away from our quail.

Keeping prices in check

Since the first major outbreak in 2022, chicken egg prices have more than doubled, leaving many families scrambling (pun intended). Quail eggs, on the other hand, have stayed much steadier — rising only about 1/10 as much, depending on the region. Our commitment to efficiency, biosecurity, and flock health has made that possible.

You can read more about how we are battling egg-flation here=]]

At Spring Creek, we believe everyone should have access to fresh, high-quality quail eggs without breaking the bank. That's why we work hard every day to keep our flock happy, our eggs safe, and our prices stable.

So go ahead, crack open a quail egg — or a dozen — and know you're getting the best from our farm to your table.