McDonald's Shortens Breakfast Hours Amid National Egg Shortage from Bird Flu Outbreak

McDonald's has decided to shorten its breakfast service by 90 minutes, pointing to a major egg shortage triggered by recent bird flu outbreaks. In a Facebook announcement, the fast-food giant informed customers that beginning Tuesday, breakfast will now conclude at 10:30 a.m., instead of the typical noon cutoff.

In its statement, McDonald's highlighted the ongoing industry difficulties and assured customers that it is carefully managing its egg supplies. The company added that it is working closely with Australian farmers and suppliers to return breakfast service to normal hours as swiftly as possible.

Australia is currently facing multiple outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza, affecting 11 poultry facilities since May — most of them being egg farms in the southeastern regions of the country. Authorities are actively monitoring and addressing the situation to minimize broader impact.

Thankfully, officials have confirmed that none of the avian flu strains involved are the H5N1 variant, the deadly version responsible for widespread infections in bird and mammal populations globally, including rare human cases.

Although the situation is being taken seriously, less than 10% of Australia's egg-laying hen population has been affected so far. Health and agricultural authorities have assured the public that the virus is being contained effectively, although many retailers have introduced limits on egg purchases to manage demand.

Egg supply disruptions are visible in some stores, where shelves often run empty by the end of the day. Rowan McMonnies, Managing Director of Australian Eggs, noted last week that while there is pressure on supply chains, the overall availability of eggs remains strong.

McMonnies also emphasized that more than 20 million hens are still under the dedicated care of hundreds of Australian egg farmers. He reassured consumers that these farmers are working tirelessly to ensure eggs remain available on store shelves.

Avian influenza typically spreads from wild birds to farmed poultry, posing an ongoing challenge. The Australian government noted that the 2024 outbreaks mark the country's tenth bird flu incident since 1976, with all previous outbreaks successfully controlled and eradicated.