45,000 Chickens Destroyed JOYCE BUPP York Co. Correspondent SPRING GROVE (York Co.) Brisk wind helped Bui a swift ly-moving fire that destroyed 45,000 laying hens and a 348-foot poultry bam March 23 on the farm of Roy and Sara Diem, Spring Grove R 2. “It went so fast. That day was a nightmare,” recalled Sara Diem, pausing a moment during a mas sive, volunteer-effort cleanup that go under way last Friday. Roy Diem was alerted to the fire by a neighbor who first spot ted the smoke. But winds estimat ed at least 20 miles-per-hour, and Mora than 100 vohmtMra turned out to help v up tho jrmath of a Courlfy f>m tlMt de * troyed I** ooo chickens at the farm of Roy and Sara Diem in York Announcement! THE TURKEY FEEDER EVERYONE HAS BEEN WATTING FOR. tt ' * Now Introducing the NEWsig Dutchman TURKEY FEEDER with a Swivel Pan Be the First in Pennsylvania \Ji/ to Install this NEW GENERATION _ I T W * S of TURKEY FEEDERS. Take Dili PMdNRM. Advantage of Our Introductory Prices % TjKnsHcv ■■■ mßm EQUIPMENT CO. t Itfe *Tafa Customer Satisfaction (Personally poultry house fans that kicked on automatically in response to the heat, helped spur the flames that quickly engulfed the structure. Diem estimates some ten fire cm panies turned out to help fight the devastating blaze. Two days later, another out pouring of help arrived to mounta day-long cleanup. The effort was initiated by Don Stelfox, the Diepi family’s pastor and the disaster committee at their Garber Menno nite Church at Menges Mills, and the local Hope Mennonite Fellow ship. More than 100 volunteers be gan arriving early last Friday mom? .INFORMA In York County Fire " ,l ** ******»'**■** spending to the church's disaster as the cleanup effort was winding committee network, other neigh- down, hors and Mends driving front-end Even as lingering wisps of loaders or trucks a short distance smoke rose over the charred re across the farm hills for theclean- mains, what to do with several up. From as far away as Juniata tons of chicken carcasses posed a County and across the border from major concern for the Diems. Dis- Maryland, volunteers took off a posal charges, quoted by tender day of work to tftckle the ditty, ing plants and landfills, tallied se backbreaking work of disposing veral thousand dollars, of charred metal cages, bait and With the advice and assistance twisted tin roofing and piles of of Penn State extension poultry carcasses. ,< specialist John Swartz, and after consulting with local Manheim Tonwship officials. Diem opted to go the composting route. Using a portion of their manure pit as a composting site, the carcasses were layered with straw and tur key manure. Natural heating over several weeks will decompose the carcasses into an organic residue that can be recycled onto the soil. “It’s an ecologically safe way to handle it,” said Diem. Replacement cost for the build ing and the layer flock is between “Wc were under some stress ta get the birds disposed of in a short ' time. It was a real burden. We really appreciate what was done here,” related a grateful Rr Diem -1 255 PLANE TREE DRIVE LANCASTER, PA 17603 (717) 393-5807 mm nil mW! 1 |' n M'Wp'-, Call the Horse Fence People for lasting quality and low prices. • Superior Fencing and Lumber For Farms, Homes & Estates • Slip Board, Post & Board, Split Rail, and many others • Custom Fences and Cates • Vinyl, Wire, and Keep Safe • Wood and Metal Cates • jump Rails and. Standards • In-ground Warranties • Competitive Pricing • Professional Installers & Delivery Available • Deck St Barn Lumber • Landscape Timbers • Huge Inventory Year-round Stockton Supply Company, 1297 Kelsall Road, Box 718, Umonville, PA 19375 (610) 347-1730 $400,000 and $430,000. Diem es timates. The Diems owned the poultry house, which is insured, while Pennficld Corporation, Lan caster. owned the birds on con tract. The firm is self-insured against such losses. “This is the first fire 1 can re member” noted Gary Gladys, live production manager for Pennficld. “It very seldom happens in the in dustry.” The original structure is esti mated to have been built in the early 19705. Roy and Sara Diem purchased the farm and poultry house in 1979. In 1986, they gut ted and completely remodeled the original building, adding an 84-foot addition and a 30 x 48-foot egg room with new equip ment. “The fire marshal feels the fire started in the fans in the new part,” Diem said. The Diems are undecided if they will rebuild. Horse owners across America call us for advice and superior fencing materials at great prices - because we are the Horse Fence People. Call toll free today for your free copy of "How To Select The Right Fence" and more information. 1.800-441-5832 <ESX STOCKTON I* FENCE & LUMBER Bill Multm, Owntr
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