JOIN USBird flu spares chicken sales, eggs in demand
Despite an outbreak of bird flu at the Central Poultry Breeding Farm (CPBF) at Hesarghatta in Bangalore, sales of poultry products has remained unaffected in the city. In fact, rates of eggs may increase during the next couple of days.
With animal husbandry minister Revu Naik Belamagi allaying fears that the flu is restricted only to CPBF, sales of chicken and eggs have continued to be normal.
Speaking to Deccan Herald, National Egg Coordination Committee (NECC) zonal chairman B R Sainath said that the news of bird flu had no effect on sales. He said there was no problem with the number of people purchasing chicken. In fact, price of eggs would be increasing in a day or two as there is usually large consumption during festivals. The prices would be hiked based on the demand, he added.
Mentioning that only turkeys had been affected, he said sales of eggs and chicken have continued as usual. He reiterated the fact mentioned by scientists that bird flu wouldn’t have any impact on those consuming poultry products.
Srinivas of Mysore Poultry Associate Private Limited confirmed that the issue hasn’t affected the poultry farmers in the region. Observing that nearly 25 lakh broiler chicken and four lakh locally-bred chicken (naati koli) are bred in the region, he said broiler chicken is available 45 days after being bred, whereas it takes three months for locally-bred chicken.