poppy ben grace Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hi all. On my run the last couple of days i have noticed some chickens near a layby where i live. Today they were still there and on closer inspection they are all cockerels. Ther are four and i think they have been abandoned by someone. I took some pellets and water to them earlier but they ran away when they saw me. Am i best to ring the rspca? I dont think i could catch them and have no where to put them anyway. Adivce would be great, i cant just leave them for the fox even if they are rescued and culled at least they wont have to live wild as they are now. They are between Market Deeping and West deeping, lincs just incase anyone has lost them! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Such a shame I think that they will almost definitely have been abandoned. I would phone the RSPCA as even if they don't have the room to keep them they may know some where that does. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Oh how mean! Some people are so cowardly, I bet it's someone who has hatched this year and didn't want to face the reality of dealing with the cockerels (but would apparently rather let them get run over/eaten by a fox/starve to death). No advice really - it might be worth trying the RSPCA. I think the difficulty will be catching them, although they may have a large net that they could use. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 That's such a shame. I would definitely ring the RSPCA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 I have contacted the rspca and they have asked me to keep an eye on them and give them a call when i am with them. Will go back and check on them on route to the school run, i am hoping they will get used to me if i bring them some food so the rspca or myself have a hope of catching them.Poor things, i know its hard finding homes for cockerels but if people cant find homes or dispatch them they shouldnt hatch. Its not fair on the rspca to have to pick up the peices! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zakjon-98 Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Poor things, i know its hard finding homes for cockerels but if people cant find homes or dispatch them they shouldnt hatch. Its not fair on the rspca to have to pick up the peices! Totally agree. I think things like this will more and more common unfortunately with keeping chickens becoming popular What breed/hybrid do they look like? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hi, not sure of the breed, large fowl i woul say, very pretty with white and gold/red feathers. It was hard to tell as they ran off when they saw me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Oh how mean! Some people are so cowardly, I bet it's someone who has hatched this year and didn't want to face the reality of dealing with the cockerels (but would apparently rather let them get run over/eaten by a fox/starve to death). sadly I have a none chicken keeping 'friend' that thinks letting them go into the wild is less cruel than than me growing them on for the table Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lavenders_Blue Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 My neighbour had a very sick hen a couple of weeks ago, and told me he was going to box her up and let her go in a field as he couldn't face dispatching her and wasn't willing to pay for a vet I sent hubby round to do the deed instead. She would have been lucky if she'd been caught by a fox, at least it would have been a quick ending, but chances are she would have slowly starved to death. I wasn't prepared to let that happen. I do wonder if some people are fit to keep animals.....? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
counturchickens Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Let us know what happens. Poor birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs_B Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Hoping it's a happy ending for the cockerels. Will keep an eye out on this thread to see what happens. Animals don't deserve to be abandoned - it's very irresponsible! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Oh that is so irresponsible! With their colouring they won't stand a chance against a fox and could well be caught by a car too as they are on a layby. Poor critters. It reminds me of people who tip their greyhounds out on the motorway when they are done racing so they don't have to face re-homing or putting them down. We found one on the M25 and he was such a nice boy Well done to your OH, Lavenders_Blue for helping that poor sick hen out of her misery Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted September 5, 2012 Author Share Posted September 5, 2012 I had a look for them earlier i couldnt see them. i will go back tomorrow and see if i can see them and check they still have food and water, i gave them plenty but am sure the local rabbits will nibble it away.. They are not too near the road as they are in a field with hedges and trees so at least have some where to roost. Trouble is where they are is near an electricity station thingy and the gate is locked etc. Dont want to get done for tresspasing. Feel so bad for them and guilty for not doing more. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wannabe smallholder Posted September 5, 2012 Share Posted September 5, 2012 Please dont feel guilty, I think you have done all you can. Your post has really upset me, can't belive how cruel and cowardly some people can be. Well done you and please update to let us know the outcome. Xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 6, 2012 Share Posted September 6, 2012 Well done to you poppy ben grace . You have been really compassionate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppy ben grace Posted September 6, 2012 Author Share Posted September 6, 2012 Thanks guys! Good news they are still there and have eaten all the pellets i gave them so have topped up the water and food and will get back in touch with the rspca tomorrow. Hopefully they wont wonder to far now they have a supply of food and water. I think the rspca will have to put traps out for them as they wont come near me and run away as soon as they see me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chortle Chook Posted September 7, 2012 Share Posted September 7, 2012 You are amazing poppy ben grace ! Well done you. I wonder what the RSPCA will do with them when they have them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
