Chicken production down 35 percent

KATHMANDU, Feb 3: Country´s poultry production went down by as much as 35 percent in a month period till mid-January compared to the same period last year as farmers reduced number of chicks in farms due to bird-flu outbreak in different parts of the country. Poultry production was also affected by drop in mercury.

Janga Bahadur BC, president of National Chicken Sellers´ Association, said factors like drop in temperature and outbreak of bird flu in different parts of the country affected poultry production during the review period.

According to the association, about 25-30 percent of poultry farmers have shifted to other professions after the incurred loss in poultry business.
BC said farmers are quitting poultry farming due to increase in production cost and drop in price of poultry products.

“Farmers had to suffer loss for more than fourth months this year as the price of live chicken went down to Rs 110 per kg which is lower than their operating cost,” BC said, adding that poultry production cost hovers over Rs 150 per kg.