NORTH CAROLINA – Sanderson Farms is reporting that at least 1.7 million of its chickens have died as a result of Hurricane Florence.
- At least 1.7 million chickens died as a result of Hurricane Florence.
- Up to 6.3 million more are at risk.
- Effects of the flood damage are expected to impact capacity and volume during October and November
In a release the company says the deaths were due to flooding in 60 broiler houses.
Those numbers could potentially go up due to flooding and six damaged broiler houses.
Additionally, 30 farms containing an estimated 6.3 million chickens are at risk due to flooded roads preventing feed trucks from getting to them.
In a statement released by the company, they say they do not predict long-term effects due to the current volume of chicken deaths.
Effects of the flood damage are expected to impact capacity and volume during October and November.
Chairman and Executive Officer Joe Sanderson, Jr said in a release by the company, “I am relieved that it appears the Company’s employees and independent contract producers experienced no loss of life or serious injuries. The magnitude of this storm and the damage it has caused continue to be widespread, and I am pleased that our people remain safe.”
Sanderson continued, “I am also pleased that our assets were not significantly damaged by the hurricane. While the storm’s impact on our live inventories and live production process will have an impact on the Company’s capacity and volume over the next two months, none of the losses sustained will be long term.”