Bird flu fear causes drop in chicken prices

Chicken prices in parts of Tamil Nadu have fallen significantly following fears of avian influenza (bird flu), authorities and market sources report. According to reports, the prevailing concerns about bird flu spreading have triggered a wave of caution among consumers, leading to reduced demand for chicken meat and a consequent drop in prices. The Tamil Nadu Animal Husbandry Department has confirmed that wild bird deaths particularly of crows in and around Chennai are linked to the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, which spreads rapidly among bird populations and can affect domestic poultry. This has led to an intensified disease surveillance effort across the state, with biosecurity measures being stepped up to prevent further spread among poultry farms. Officials are administering disinfectants in farm environments and monitoring both wild and domesticated bird populations closely as a precaution. As a result of the bird flu scare, chicken meat prices in the retail markets of Chennai and nearby regions have plunged. In the city, chicken that was selling at ₹280 per kilogram three days earlier has dropped to around ₹220 per kilogram. This price decline reflects both decreased consumer demand due to health fears and market anxiety over the potential impact on poultry supplies.