SARANAC, MICH. — Egg production company Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch stated in a notice to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity that it would have to lay off 400 employees due to the ongoing effects of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

The notice from Stephanie Kempa, chief human resources officer of Herbruck’s, stated the mass layoff was expected to be “largely temporary” with some permanent job loss that would affect many hourly and salaried employees as well as contractors. 

“As you are likely aware, the company’s hen population in some of its Ionia County farms have been unexpectedly impacted by avian influenza, which is highly contagious to hens and deadly to them,” Kempa said in her notice to the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

The company plans to rehire many positions as hens replenish and egg production increases. 

According to company information, three facilities in Saranac, Mich., and two in Lake Odessa, Mich., started layoffs on May 15.