SIBLEY, IA (AP) –Iowa farmers who have been dealing with thousands of dead chickens attracting flies for weeks are frustrated with the government’s response to the ongoing bird flu outbreak. The Des Moines Register reports several chicken and turkey farmers expressed their concerns at public meetings in northwest Iowa Saturday.
Merlin DeGroot says he’s waiting for government crews to dispose of his dead chickens, but the agencies involved haven’t coordinated plans well.
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says the size of the bird flu outbreak is unprecedented and the government is working to respond.
More than 25 million chickens, turkeys and ducks have been killed in Iowa, and it has taken time to find places to dispose of their carcasses. Two landfills in the state recently agreed to take birds.
“Merlin DeGroot says he’s waiting for government crews to dispose of his dead chickens, but the agencies involved haven’t coordinated plans well.”
Translation: They haven’t figured out how to make a profit from it yet.
Problem solved, new McNugget contract just signed! 😆
It’ll have to be irradiated, of course. Should be just fine.
Free barf bag included.
So some farmer’s chickens croaked. Now they’re indignant because the government wasn’t punctual in robbing their neighbors to cover their losses. Hey, Mr. McGregor, I just fell on some hard times, too. I hope you got some chickens to sell to cover my personal losses. I won’t demand that the state rob you for me so please donate. I might even accept one of them sick ones as long as it ain’t quite dead yet and the shipping is free. Ya’ a damn poor Iowa farmer I am. No eggs. No chicks. No Uncle Sam. And I’m from Lansing, Iowa, Carl I am. Demand for a chicken is goin’ up. Enjoy green eggs with your ham.