LAHORE (NNI): Raza Mehmood Khursand, Chairman Pakistan Poultry Association (NZ), has informed that due to blockade of traffic by placing containers, the poultry industry is facing great difficulties, stated in a press release issued here on Monday. Hatcheries, which are producing Day Old Chick, are unable to distribute them to the Layer and Broiler Farms. Parent Stock hatcheries are unable to deliver Parent Stocks to the breeder farms. Number of feed containers that were destined for Attock, Chakwal and Abbottabad has been seized on GT Road by the Police and they are using them for blocking the roads.

Supply of Diesel to the farms has been adversely affected. The lack of diesel in controlled environment farms can result into 100% mortality for want of air circulation in the houses.

Shortage and non-supply of feed can also result in mortality. Non-delivery of Broiler Day Old Chicks is causing a severe loss to the hatcheries, as the highly perishable chicks can neither be stored nor used for any other purpose.

Their non-placement at the farms will create a short supply in the coming 7-8 weeks which will force the increase in prices of chicken meat. Non-placement of Parent Stocks will create a long term short-supply after 6-7 months for a prolonged period of a year to 14 months.

The Association had laid these facts before the Secretary Livestock who convinced the relevant government quarters to facilitate poultry but unfortunately the containers could not be removed for the movement of vehicles carrying Day Old Chicks, Feed or diesel to the poultry farms, as such, the sector has suffered and is extremely apprehensive of what would happen in the coming days.