Chicken prices plummet in erstwhile Medak as bird flu news floods social media

Animal Husbandry Department officials keep poultry and broiler rearers on high alert

Sangareddy: The prices of chicken have plummeted in the retail market across erstwhile Medak district following the bird flu scare. The prices came down by Rs 20 to Rs 50 per kg in various retail shops in the district.

Though no unusual deaths of poultry or layer birds were reported in Medak, a considerable number of chicken lovers are staying away from eating chicken following the news of bird flu spreading in Andhra Pradesh.

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Shiva Kumar, a Suguna chicken centre owner in RC Puram, said he used to sell skinless chicken at Rs 260 per kg a week ago. However, the price at his shop came down to Rs 206 per kg on Thursday. The news of bird flu cases being reported in Andhra Pradesh had also had its impact on biryani centres. The story of Shiva Kumar just reflects the situation across erstwhile district.

Meanwhile, Animal Husbandry Department officials have kept poultry and broiler rearers on high alert. District Animal Husbandry Officer (Medak) Venkataiah said they had educated poultry farmers to spray disinfectants around poultry sheds besides taking all precautionary measures while entering the sheds. They have also asked farmers not to buy any chicks to start new batches until the situation eased out.

Venkataiah said Medak district had 400 farms, including broilers and layers. Farmers in Medak were rearing about 22 lakh birds. In Siddipet district, the farmers were rearing 92 lakh birds in 175 broilers and 60 layer farms. The farmers, chicken centres and officials said the spread of news on the bird flu on social media was taking a toll on chicken sales.

Sangareddy district Joint Director (Animal Husbandry) M Vasantha Kumari said there were 71 broiler farms in the district. She said they had set up two check posts on the Karnataka-Telangana borders at Madgi and Gangwar to check the entry of broiler birds into the State. However, the district had reported no unusual deaths of birds until now. The Joint Director said it was safe to consume chicken. Vasantha Kumari called upon the farmers to report to them immediately if any unusual deaths were reported in the district.