Flu fears 'hitting poultry hobby'

A poultry auctioneer has said concerns over bird flu were reducing the number of people keeping chickens as a hobby.

Fabian Eagle, who is based near Swaffham, Norfolk, said poultry prices had dropped by up to a quarter in recent weeks.

"It's dire. The value of stock is just collapsing," he said.

"The idea of keeping a few chickens as a hobby has become very fashionable in recent years. But people don't want to do it now."

He said: "All they want to do is get rid of them."

Mr Eagle, 34, added: "I've been an auctioneer for 16 years. My family has been in the poultry business since 1892. And this is the worst I have ever known it.

"It's possible I could go out of business. I'm not thinking about that at the moment but it's possible."