On the afternoon of 15/5, Cao Thi Hue, 26, from Bang Y village, learned via social media that a flock of chickens belonging to her neighbor, Hoang Thi Ha, had suffocated. These chickens were nearly ready for market. Hue posted a call for community support. "The farm owner was short-staffed, and the large number of dead chickens was overwhelming. We rushed there immediately because the chickens would spoil if not butchered quickly," Hue recounted.

Upon arrival, Hue found dozens of people already present. They organized tasks: boiling water, plucking feathers, and sorting the chickens. Many used their personal social media accounts to sell the chickens, collect orders, and even used cars to deliver to distant customers. The chickens were sold at a uniform price of 50,000 dong per chicken, each weighing 1.7-2 kg.

Bang Y villagers, Tan Chau commune, Nghe An, gathered at Hoang Ha's yard to help butcher over 500 chickens that suffocated due to the heat, on the evening of 15/5. Photo: Hoa Hue Cao

From 4 PM to 10 PM, the number of helpers grew to over 100 people. Hue noted that all processed chickens were immediately purchased. By 10:30 PM, the entire flock had been sold. Everyone stayed to clean up the farm before heading home.

Hoang Thi Ha, 53, stated that her farm raises 14,000 chickens, primarily free-range. However, the enclosure housing over 500 chickens was equipped with a misting system, industrial fans, and a generator.

On the afternoon of 15/5, intense heat combined with a clogged cooling air duct, due to moss buildup, caused the temperature inside the coop to spike. Around 2 PM, the farm owner discovered the chickens collapsing but could not enter to save them due to the extreme heat. Two hours later, the family called relatives for help. The suffocated chickens were ready for market, with estimated losses ranging from 40-60 million dong.

According to Ha, many people who purchased chickens voluntarily offered additional financial support. "My husband suffers from back pain, and our children work far away. Without the community's help, my family would not know how to cope," Ha said.

Upon learning of the incident, local organizations contacted Ha to offer additional manpower. However, Ha politely declined, as the villagers had already resolved the issue.

In the coming period, the farm owner will review the entire ventilation system to prevent similar incidents during future heatwaves.

Hundreds of Bang Y villagers, Tan Chau commune, 'rescued' 500 chickens suffocated by heat for Hoang Ha's family on the evening of 15/5. Video: Hoa Hue Cao

Quynh Nguyen