Vermont farm loses 2,000 chickens and turkeys in flooding

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RICHMOND, Vt. (AP) — A Vermont farmer says he lost more than 2,000 chickens and turkeys when last week’s flood waters inundated their Richmond farm.

Bruce Hennessey, of Maple Wind Farm, says they had moved the animals to higher ground prior to the storm that began on Halloween night, but the amount of rain and flooding from the Winooski River was more than expected.

They woke up Friday to find their birds in 4 feet (1.2 meters) of water.

Hennessey says they’re heartbroken.

The storm that began Thursday knocked out power to tens of thousands of Vermonters and caused road and other damage that is now being assessed by state and federal officials.

Hennessy and Whiting say they hope their insurance company will cover at least a portion of their estimated $60,000 loss.