Bird Flu Affects Backyard Poultry; Telangana Blocks Feed, Poultry Movement From Andhra Pradesh

Officials said the measures were taken as a precaution following bird flu reports in Anantapur, while poultry industry representatives said commercial broiler farms in Telangana remain protected through biosecurity measures.

Indian Poultry Equipment Manufacturers’ Association president Uday Singh Bayas told Deccan Chronicle that the impact was currently limited to backyard poultry, where birds have greater exposure to freely moving migratory birds.

“We are on alert and there is poultry being affected in backyard farming. All the broiler farms are well protected. The situation is on a minor scale for poultry associations. Rearers are following biosecurity measures, including restricting the entry of people and materials. Those entering are sprayed to prevent the virus from being carried inside,” he said.

Veterinary and animal husbandry officials said poultry associations had been advised to watch for symptoms such as coughing and sneezing among birds. Checkposts and officials along trade routes have also been alerted not to allow broiler or layer birds and eggs from Andhra Pradesh into Telangana.

The movement of poultry feed from the affected areas is also being restricted, officials said.

Arvind Reddy, private employee said, “As I eat eggs every day for my diet, I followed the news but as there is no impact in Telangana, I am consuming it every day. We also eat chicken on Sunday. I informed the person, from whom we buy, to alert us if anything is major.”

Meanwhile, chicken shops in Hyderabad continued to see regular business on Monday. Consumers were also continuing to buy eggs and chicken, with some saying they were taking precautions by cooking them thoroughly at home.

Chicken prices, however, have increased. G. Raju, a chicken shop owner, said the price had risen to around ₹300 a kg from ₹230 last week.