The high cost of eggs could give us a taste of an expensive, ethical, and cage-free future, an eggspert says

• Egg prices have soared over the past year as a result of the deadly avian influenza. 
• However, prices will never really be the same, especially as the US transitions to cage-free eggs.
• Some estimates say that in four years, 70% of hens could be laying eggs in cage-free housing.

Eggs — a tasty breakfast or, for the past year, a financial headache. 

A highly pathogenic avian flu that killed 58 million birds bears much of the blame for record-high prices. High feed costs and inflation also played a part.