RSPCA appeal over lost chickens

The RSPCA is asking people to come forward with information about chickens which have disappeared from a roundabout in Ditchingham, near Bungay.Chickens and other poultry have lived on the roundabout at the junction of Norwich Road and the A143 for at least 50 years.

The RSPCA is asking people to come forward with information about chickens which have disappeared from a roundabout in Ditchingham, near Bungay.

Chickens and other poultry have lived on the roundabout at the junction of Norwich Road and the A143 for at least 50 years. It is thought they originally escaped from allotments nearby and lived as a colony, surviving on grain from a nearby maltings.

For the last 20 years, the birds have been fed by Gordon Knowles, also known as the chicken man, who says that their numbers have dwindled from around 100 at the new year, to just 30 birds at the beginning of July.

Now the RSPCA says it is looking into the matter, although no carcass-es or injured birds have been found and it is not known whether there are any suspicious circumstances.

RSPCA inspector Ben Kirby said: 'We must stress that we don't know what's happening to these birds. Some may have been taken by foxes or other natural predators, but there is a possibility that others may have stolen or harmed.

'As we have no evidence, we must ask that anyone with information about anything suspicious gets in touch with us immediately. I would also remind people that they could be prosecuted if they are found to be harming the birds.'

Those with any information can contact the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.