Five cows died at a farm in Kerala after they were fed excessive porotta and jackfruit. Nine other cows are currently undergoing treatment, reports said.
Porotta or Parotta is a layered flaky flatbread made from Maida. It is very popular in many states of South India, including Kerala.
The cows belonged to dairy farmer Hasbulla, who runs a farm in Vattapara in Kollam.
After a recent hike in the price of cattle feed, Hasbulla had begun feeding his cows a mixture of porotta, jackfruit and tamarind seed husk.
“A certain quantity was fixed for the porotta but that day it wasn’t Hasbulla who fed the cows,” officials said.
Minister of Animal Husbandry J Chinchurani visited his farm and said the dairy farmer would be compensated for his loss.
According to the Animal Welfare Department, the cows died due to tremors in the stomach caused by consuming excessive porotta and jackfruit.
Porotta causes digestive issues and excessive consumption of jackfruit, rice porridge etc. can lead to acidosis and dehydration-induced death in cows, said District Animal Welfare Officer Dr D Shine Kumar, under whom the autopsy was conducted.