According to reports, authorities in Nukus were forced to make the unorthodox payment because of cash shortages that have affected Uzbekistan’s banks for many years.

But the bird-brained idea failed to win over local workers.

One teacher complained: “Last year they paid us with potatoes, carrots and pumpkins.

“This year they are forcing us to take newborn chickens instead of our wages.”

But others tried to take the desperate move in good humour, joking: “What’s wrong with this? You have chicken soup for breakfast, a fried chicken for lunch and a chicken for dinner - lots of vitamins at least.”