RSPCA Concerns For Dozens Of "Lockdown Hens" In Sussex

The RSPCA said today that it fears dozens of hens and chickens are being abandoned in Sussex, after lots of people went out and bought chicks during lockdown and now can't take care of them, particularly in light of bird flu warnings. 

The animal welfare charity - that operates across England and Wales - claimed it fears rescue centres will be overrun with birds soon. 

Across all Sussex, reports have come in with concerns about 29 birds and, so far this year*, the RSPCA has dealt with 1,594 incidents related to chickens across England and Wales.

The charity has also taken 280 chickens into its centres for rehoming. 

A charity spokesperson said:

"Concerns were raised during lockdown about the increase in pet acquisition and ownership, and we feared that people would soon lose interest and start to hand their animals over once life started to return to normal. 

"In the spring, many hen producers reported huge surges in demand for chicks and we believe this may be because people panic bought birds due to shortages of eggs in the supermarkets but, due to the shops being better stocked, are now 'surplus to requirement'.

"There are also concerns that some families may have taken on unsexed chicks, which have grown into noisy cockerels so are now being abandoned."

• On 8 December, the RSPCA was called after 11 hens were found dumped down an alleyway in Ealing, West London. Four had sadly died but the other seven were rushed to Harmsworth Animal Hospital by rescuers Mike Beaman and Jade Guthrie where they're now being cared for;
• On 4 December, three hens were abandoned in a cage outside RSPCA Coventry & District branch, in Coventry, West Midlands, and are now being cared for by the charity;
• Also on 4 December, Inspector Grace Harris-Bridge collected three chickens who had been abandoned in a tiny, filthy cage in Canterbury, Kent, and are now in private boarding;
• On 2 December, a cockerel was found straying in a garden in Poole, Dorset, after neighbours spotted it and confined him. He was collected by Inspector Tina Ward and taken in by RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre, in Somerset; 
• Also on 2 December, in Eastleigh, Hampshire, three fancy chickens were found dumped in a box by the bins and collected by inspector Emily Stodart. They were cared for by one of her colleagues and have now been rehomed by a friend who has named them Bradley Cooper, Hilary Fluff and Meryl Cheep; 
• On 17 November, a cockerel was found dumped in a layby near Christchurch, Dorset, and was rescued by the RSPCA;
• On 21 October, 14 chickens were rounded up and caught by RSPCA officers after a large flock of more than 20 birds were abandoned in Offham, Kent, and were taken in by a local rescue centre;
• On 13 October, three bloodied cockerels were found dumped in a box in Hertford, Hertfordshire, by a dog walker who called the RSPCA. Deputy chief inspector Alex Coghlan caught two and her colleague, Dave Podmore, caught the third. They were all taken to Blackberry Farm Animal Centre but, sadly, had to be put to sleep as they were carrying a lethal bacteria.

The RSPCA fears that this problem could worsen as cases of bird flu are confirmed across the country, in both wild birds and captive birds.

This means that bird keepers need to keep their birds contained indoors from 14 December and the charity recommends the owners of all captive birds follow the Government's biosecurity advice.

Kate Parkes, poultry welfare specialist at the RSPCA, said:

"It's really important that owners follow Government biosecurity advice to help protect the health of their birds as well as to try and limit the spread of the virus.

"All pet poultry owners need to stay vigilant for signs of disease and ill health in their flocks and it's vital they seek veterinary advice if they have any concerns for their birds.

"We're concerned that worries about bird flu and changes to how we're allowed to keep hens may lead to more owners abandoning their pets, putting more pressure on rescue centres."

The charity said that anyone hoping to obtain a flock of hens should consider rescuing ex-battery hens or adopting from a charity like the RSPCA.

Among hens and cockerels awaiting adoption, the charity named:

• Snap, Crackle & Pop are three young bantam cockerels who are very sweet and love spending time together. The six-month-olds are at RSPCA Taylors Animal Rehoming Centre, in Dorset; 
• General Cluckingham is a one-year-old bantam cockerel who was found as a stray and is now looking for a new home at RSPCA Leybourne Animal Centre, in Kent;
• Cockerel Cluck Norris and his hens Chickira, Princess Layer & Ameilia Egghart are all looking for a home together from RSPCA Southridge Animal Centre, in Hertfordshire; 
• One-year-old silver laced Wyandotte cockerel Zeberdee was rescued after being abandoned and is now at RSPCA Hillingdon, Slough, Windsor, Kingston & district branch, in West London;
• Also at RSPCA Southridge, three-year-old Charlie (pictured) and Shay are friendly but feisty cockerels looking for separate homes with some hen friends.