Over the previous couple of weeks, there have actually been numerous reports of hens and cockerels being discovered abandoned in the areas throughout Cornwall on social networks, with members of the general public questioning if they have actually been ‘discarded’.
On Tuesday recently 3 more hens were discovered beyond an address in Helston, matching the abandoned chickens discovered in the Sunken Garden 10 days prior on February 5.
However, members of the general public chosen to take the birds in and called the RSCPA for suggestions and details.
Tracy Orchard from Helston handled to gather the chickens discovered in the Sunken Garden and kept them securely in her energy room over night while awaiting the RSPCA to contact us.
Posting into the Helston Group on Facebook, Tracy said: “If anybody understands why they were discarded could you please let me understand? I truthfully don’t care to report them.
“I simply would like to know why, are they unhealthy.
“If it’s due to the fact that they are cockerels, then why not handle them yourself, why have they got this huge?
“Any background details will help us to have them rehomed. They are fancy-looking chickens and look well looked after.”
Sadly there seemed a yet more discarding of cockerals on Thursday, when one was run over and killed at the bottom of Trengrouse Way and another needed to be gotten by a member of the general public to be required to safety.
In 2020, the Packet reported issues from the RSPCA concerning the variety of hens and cockerels being abandoned and worries of rescue centres ending up being overrun with birds throughout lockdown.
Now it appears those worries have actually ended up being reality.
A representative from the RSPCA informed the Packet today: “Sadly, there has actually constantly been a high variety of abandoned chickens and cockerels in Cornwall, specifically cockerels.
“People tend to breed chicken eggs as a ‘good concept’, however then cannot house numerous cockerels due to battling, and as saves are generally complete and cannot take them, individuals lead to deserting chickens and cockerels.
“Due to Avian Flu restrictions, our rehoming centre in Cornwall is still unable to take in any outdoor birds until the government lifts current restrictions.”
The representative included: “We would advise plaintiffs continuing to call the National RSPCA on 0300 1234 999 for abandoned birds, specifically if any of the birds are revealing indications of injury or illness.
“It would likewise deserve the complainant reporting their issues to the Environmental Health Team at Cornwall Council, due to today threat of Avian Flu.
“As a rehoming centre we never condone abandoning animals, but with most rescues being unable to help due to government restrictions, it was always likely that people would resort to abandoning, although this is still a criminal offence.”
