A poultry farmer in the North West Province of South Africa says he is planning to put in a 1.5 million rand (40.5 million naira) claim against the electricity provider Eskom after power disruptions at his farm killed an estimated 40 000 to 50 000 of his flock.

Herman du Preez, owner of the Frangipani Boerdery in Lichtenburg, told News24 on Thursday that it was difficult to know the exact death toll, as chickens were still dying.

Problems began in mid-December when problems with a transformer prompted Eskom to connect the area to another line, he said, but there had been variations in the voltage that damaged equipment such as pumps and motors.

Problems came to a head on Monday night, when insufficient voltage resulted in the air conditioning at one of the farm's chicken houses to shut down, he said. The farm has about 550 000 chickens.

"I'm busy with my homework. I'm waiting for reports from my electrician," said Du Preez. Eskom technicians had visited the farm on Wednesday in order to turn up the voltage, said Du Preez, but he added that he was now concerned about a surge if Eskom ultimately restores the area's transformer.

"So that's the next disaster that's going to happen," he said.

The continuation of Stage 6 load shedding (planned powercuts) in 2023 has sparked fears that disruptions in the agricultural supply chain could push up already elevated food prices and even result in shortages. 🔚

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.news24.com/amp/fin24/economy/see-farmer-to-put-r15m-claim-to-eskom-after-tens-of-thousands-of-chickens-killed-20230119

This is collateral damage, I guess this wouldn't have happened in Nigeria, because we already knows we don't have stable light, so having a generator set is sure... Sorry to the owner of the farm

That is a huge loss mehn! Such a massive poultry farm is supposed to have a stand-by generator or other alternative backup that is always ready to take over in case of an unexpected power outage.

NSPCA: More noise about 1 dead tiger, less about 50K dead chickens!

The National Council of SPCAs (NSPCA) on Friday bemoaned the loss of 50 000 chickens that suffocated to death on a farm in Lichtenburg, North West, this week.

Taking to its social media page, the animal protection group showed a picture of the dead chickens thrown at the back of a truck.

It said it was unfortunate that more attention had been given to Sheba, the rogue tiger that was shot dead in Walkerville (Johannesburg), while little was said about the dead chickens.


“Are some animals more important than others?,” the NSPCA asked, labelling he deaths a tragic week for animal welfare.

“Every major radio, TV station and newspaper covered the story of the female tigress that escaped her enclosure and was eventually shot and killed. While the media sensation around the tigress resulted in national and even international outrage and sympathy from the public, the same cannot be said for the 50 000 chickens that suffered slowly as they suffocated to death in their chicken house on a farm in Lichtenburg,” the group said.

“For many years animal welfarists and activists have raised the debate about how certain animals are generally more valued than others, and the greatest example of this is the comparison between animals that are used for food and animals that are used for companionship.

“In this case the tragic death of 50 000 chickens appears to have been overlooked in the face of the case regarding the tigress. It shouldn’t be this way. Both the tigress and the chickens deserve to be recognised and fought for.”


“It is extremely sad that the tigress was not only subjected to a life in captivity and in her final days after her escape she was being hunted until she was shot and killed,” the NSPCA said.

“In the same breath, it is a tragedy that not one, not two but 50 000 chickens suffocated and died a painful and slow death. Just because they are hidden from the public and are not valued for any other purpose other than food does not mean their lives are less equal than any other animal.

Some Nigerians sha Someone posted this picture on a group on facebook yesterday claiming their oga ask them to look for buyers otherwise no December and January salary for them.

With world event lately, power cuts will be more frequent, he should seek alternative power solution.

Export them to Nigeria so Aboki suya can grill & resell to us at N7500 each.

VeryWickedGoat:
Export them to Nigeria so Aboki suya can grill & resell to us at N7500 each.

🙆🏾‍♂️🙆🏾‍♂️🙆🏾‍♂️😂

madridguy:
Some Nigerians sha Someone posted this picture on a group on facebook yesterday claiming their oga ask them to look for buyers otherwise no December and January salary for them.

Nigerian bloggers na hell fire candidates 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

So I can use Emojis on nairaland 💃🏾💃🏾💃🏾

kernniejay:
That is a huge loss mehn! Such a massive poultry farm is supposed to have a stand-by generator or other alternative backup that is always ready to take over in case of an unexpected power outage.

Them no dey consider that one cause them dey always get power.

Hungry black South Africans can still eat that if roasted well..

This is sad 😭 Big investment loss and the negative it effect will affect the labour force and the economic fortune of that locality

Bad

Don't forget to check our signature

Insurance will pay!

welcome to our nightmare yo

.

Any Nigerians that is expecting goods should vote Peter Obi and Datti Ahmed come February please

H

Please they should wait before burying the chickens. They should please consider sending all to Nigeria. 90 million people are in severe poverty here and such protein is to be wasted

You can't run this type of facility under APC because we don't have light at all

🙁🙁🙁 chai

Vulture seller is licking his lips because he knows he can package this one well and grill it.

Hope the farm is fully insured

Aja Aja na ham na ham

😩

Is there something wrong with the black race Since the blacks took over this country has been deteriorating slowly

VeryWickedGoat:
Export them to Nigeria so Aboki suya can grill & resell to us at N7500 each.

This is how some of you make a fool of yourselves. Even here in Nigeria, where have you seen aboki using dead chicken for suya?

The border should be closely watch,make them no pack an come hear

kernniejay:
That is a huge loss mehn! Such a massive poultry farm is supposed to have a stand-by generator or other alternative backup that is always ready to take over in case of an unexpected power outage.

Brother, you are thinking like an average Nigerian.

Have you been to South Africa to see what is obtainable there in terms of electricity?

Catastrophic loss.