CHICKENS are sadly being dumped and abandoned in Dorset amid bird-flu fears.

The RSPCA is warning of a chicken crisis after high numbers of people bought chicks during lockdown and now can’t take care of them, particularly in light of bird flu warnings.

The animal welfare charity has dealt with 23 incidents in the county involving chickens this year, and is concerned rescue centres will be overrun with birds soon due to increasing numbers of hens and cockerels being abandoned.

An RSPCA spokesman 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 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."

According to the charity, one recent incident in Dorset saw a cockerel found straying in a garden in Poole.

Fortunately neighbours spotted the bird, and it was collected by inspector Tina Ward and taken in by RSPCA West Hatch Animal Centre in Somerset.

The previous month a cockerel was found dumped in a layby near Christchurch before being rescued.

Meanwhile, cases of bird flu have been confirmed across the country, including in Dorset, in both wild birds and captive birds. These include geese in Weymouth as well as a back garden flock of poultry in Gillingham which tested for the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza, as well as swans in Poole.

Due to the national outbreak the Government has said bird keepers need to keep their birds contained indoors.

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 necessary.

“We’re concerned this may lead to more owners abandoning their pets, putting more pressure on rescue centres.”

Residents who are considering keeping chickens are urged to consider rehoming from the RSPCA. Currently in need of a new home at RSPCA Taylors Animal Rehoming Centre in Dorset are Snap, Crackle and Pop - three six-month old bantam cockerels.

To donate to the RSPCA's Coronavirus Emergency Appeal visit www.rspca.org.uk/getinvolved/donate/coronavirus