Heatwave hits poultry units

Srikakulam: Poultry units are facing heatwave in the district for the past one month, though summer rains provided respite from high temperatures causing trouble to chicks. In this backdrop, protection of chicks and hens became difficult to farmers.

At present, the cost of each chick reached Rs 45, and they have to be raised for 45 days at poultry farms till they gain weight up to two kg. Rs 145 is required for feeding the chicks for 45 days and total investment for purchasing and feeding the chicks is Rs 190 on each chick and maintenance cost is additional.

Due to summer, five per cent hens died at every poultry farm. To overcome the loss, cost of each hen also increased. As a result, finally cost of each chicken rose up to Rs 225 to Rs 230.

Total 600 poultry farms are being maintained by farmers across the district under the supervision and management of various companies like Vencob, Suguna, Srinivasa, Sneha and Vizianagaram Hatcheries.

Out of 600 poultry farms, 300 are located in Ranastalam mandal where temperatures are high due to industrial pollution. Similarly, Lolugu, Kancharam area in Ponduru mandal are also facing similar climate due to stone quarries and crushers.

“In the wake of summer, we are facing difficult situation to protect chicks by pouring water and covering roofs with cool covers. We cannot run units without support of companies”, poultry farmers of Lolugu village, Vambara Damodar and Vambara Rama Rao told The Hans India.

“Two to three per cent deaths of hens are common but to some extent, this year it is better due to rains”, secretary of District Poultry Farmers Association P Venkateswara Rao told this newspaper.