16,000 chickens perish after power failure

More than 16,000 chickens worth around SR200,000 (Dh200,000) suffocated to death in soaring summer desert temperatures at a Saudi farm following power failure.

The incident happened at a farm owned by Saudi businessmen Khalaf Al Ajami in the eastern town of Mlija on Monday, according to Okaz newspaper.

“Power failed for nearly two hours and I called the electricians but they were too late. More than 16,000 chickens perished and this caused me a loss of nearly SR200,000,” Ajami told the paper.

“It was too hot and the chickens were inside coops. They could not stand the heat for at least two hours and all of them perished.”

He said he had filed a complaint seeking damages from the local electricity company.

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