June 14, 2022

Farmers in Lampang, Thailand replace chicken antibiotics with cannabis

A community of poultry farmers in Lampang, Thailand, has been feeding cannabis to its chickens, claiming that the quality of the meat and eggs has improved, The Straits Times reported.

The experiment was carried out in collaboration with Chiang Mai University's Faculty of Agriculture, according to Sirin Chaemthet, president of the Peth Lanna community enterprise.

She said farmers turned to marijuana after their brood was diagnosed with avian bronchitis despite being given antibiotics.

The chickens developed higher immunity to disease and were able to withstand inclement weather after consuming cannabis.

She said the community enterprise eventually decided to stop using antibiotics and only feed their chickens cannabis.

Ms Sirin went on to say that the company has been selling chicken meat and eggs on its website for THB 100 baht (~US$2.86; THB 10 = US$0.29) per kg and THB 6 (~US$0.17) per egg, respectively.

She said that chicken rice made from cannabis-fed chickens has been well received, and that the company plans to sell roast chicken in the future. Sirin went on to say that these products meet the needs of consumers looking for healthy, organic food.

Prapat Panyachatrak, president of the National Farmers Council, has warned that antibiotics in chicken meat and eggs are harmful to consumers' health, causing decreased immunity and allergies.

He said that in addition to ensuring consumer safety, feeding cannabis to chickens helps boost the commercial value of chicken products.

-      The Straits Times