Telangana: Death of 4,500 birds in poultry farms in 3 days worries farmers

Warangal: Amid the rising heat, the death of around 4,500 birds over the past three days at a poultry probably due to an illness has caused concern among poultry owners and those who relish chicken.

The bird deaths were reported at Saritha Poultry Farm situated in Harishchandra Thanda outskirts of Madipelly of Nekkonda mandal.

Poultry owner Tejovath Murali Naik said that he was growing about 11,300 birds over the last month. Over the past three days, more than 1,500 birds were dying daily. The remaining birds did not appear active, he said.

Naik said he approached the local veterinarian, Dr Mamatha, who inspected the poultry and checked the birds and collected the carcases for a post-mortem.

Dr Mamatha said that because of the summer heat, the chicken could be suffering from Ranikhet disease or bird flu but this had to be established with tests and the post-mortem examination. Senior officials were informed of the deaths.

Murali Naik urged the government as he had invested Rs 15 lakh in the business and had lost Rs 5 lakh due to the bird deaths.

Meanwhile, with prices rising from Rs 170 to Rs 300 per kg in a month, those who consume chicken were worried about the health of the birds.