Shirur’s chickens nurse a drink
ByVicky PathareVicky Pathare / Updated: Jan 15, 2021, 06:00 IST
bird flu at bay, many farmers have resorted to
unscientific practice of feeding
Detection of
avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in several parts of Maharashtra and suspected cases in
Pune district have left poultry farm owners on tenterhooks. In desperation, many farmers have been feeding alcohol to the chickens to ward of the infections, said animal husbandry officials. They added that the practice is unscientific and that the farmers should refrain from it.
Dr Prakash Uchale, veterinary officer at Kawathe Yemai in Shirur tehsil, learned about the practices of some “backyard poultry farmers”. “It is a rumour and misconception that if the birds are fed alcohol, they won’t get infected with bird flu. We have even learned that the framers are experimenting with low-cost alcohol mixed with regular feed for chicken to fatten them,” said Uchale.