HARRISONBURG, Va. -
Hundreds of thousands of chickens and turkeys have died in Virginia since a violent storm swept through the state, snuffing power in its path.
President Hobey Bauhan of the Virginia Poultry Federation says the poultry died from extreme heat after the storm cut power to fans that cool chicken and turkey houses. Most of the poultry losses occurred in the Shenandoah Valley, but producers in other parts of the state such as Southside also reported the death of birds.
Virginia is among the biggest poultry producers in the nation, raising 250 million chickens and up to 18 million turkeys annually.
The widespread bird deaths have created headaches for farmers, including New Market's Adam Long. The Daily News Record (http://bit.ly/N5MssS) says he had to haul away 20,000 turkeys in one day.
