High temperatures have also caused a supply shortage across the country, unlike in the past, when the shortage was restricted to a few regions, reports The Economic Times. Currently , the retail price for chicken in Maharashtra is anywhere between Rs 180/kg and Rs 200/kg.

The farm gate price, at which a poultry farmer sells his live bird, was ruling between Rs 60/kg and Rs 65/kg in January as demonetisation had affected demand, but Rs 100/kg and above it recovered to later.

Farmers, who were just able to cover their cost of production, or were incurring losses till January, are now able to earn profits.

PG Pedgaonkar, general manager at Venkey's Hatcheries, said, “Earlier, chicken prices would remain high in some pockets at a given time. However, for the first time, chicken prices have remained high across the country .“

The average price during May was Rs 87/kg, while it is above Rs 95/kg in June.

"The heat wave and persistent high temperatures have led to increased bird mortality leading to declining availability of birds," said Nilesh Raut, director, Profeed and Premix.

The poultry industry expects chicken prices to remain high till mid-July , after which prices normally tend to fall as the body weight of birds grows rapidly due to a cooler climate. Demand also drops with the onset of Shravana, the holy month of the Hindus, when people do not eat non-vegetarian products.