Photo Credit: NurPhoto/Getty
Following the devastating effects of Hurricane Florence, over 3.4 million turkeys and chickens were killed in North Carolina, according to state’s Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
The director of public affairs at the department, Andrea Ashby says, “The assessments are based on reports and information given to them by people on the ground.”
(Photo Credit: Sanderson)
She continues:
“So far, poultry losses, as of September 18, are 3.4 million birds. This does exceed poultry losses in Hurricane Matthew.”
Million more birds are currently at risks. Sanderson Farms, Inc., one of America’s largest chicken producers has lost 1.7 million birds with 6.3 million at risk. In a statement released:
“The Company estimates that approximately 1.7 million head of broiler chickens out of an average live inventory of approximately 20 million head, ranging in age from six days to sixty-two days, were destroyed as a result of flooding.”
Via FOX News:
Sanderson Farms, which operates 880 broiler houses in North Carolina, where chickens are raised for meat consumption, reported that 60 of the facilities have been flooded and another six won’t be able to house chickens again until repairs are made.
Joe Sanderson Jr., Sanderson Farms’ chairman and CEO, said the company “will provide ice, water, food and other necessities to those affected by this catastrophic storm.”
“While we will work hard over the next week to get our operations back on line, our primary focus will be to respond to the needs of our local communities,” Sanderson Jr. said. “We will continue to help those whose lives have been more seriously disrupted.”