Noisy flock of feral chickens force villagers to wear earplugs
Residents of a leafy village whose life has been made “hell” by a noisy flock of feral chickens have taken to wearing earplugs at night so they can sleep.
About 100 birds live on the edge of a wood in the upmarket village of Snettisham, Norfolk and the flock is keeping locals up at night and digging in their gardens.
Those living nearby say the number of chickens has recently significantly increased and suspect irresponsible owners have been dumping more chickens there.
They also claim that those travelling to see the birds from outside the picturesque area are dumping food for them, which is attracting rats.
As a result, there have been reports of rising tensions between residents and those who visit the birds with abuse being hurled at those who feed them.
Villagers have now raised the issue with their parish council, which is threatening to remove the birds that nest next to Common Lane altogether.
Rod Mackenzie, a parish councillor who lives on the road, said: “They’re a pain in the butt. If they come into your garden they dig everything up.
“It’s not just food for the chickens, it’s every bit of detritus they can find and that brings rats.
“What was it someone left the other week? A quart of pink prawns. The rats are quite sizeable around here and they breed like hell.”
Ben King, company director, 48, who also lives on the lane where the birds nest, said he has to wear earplugs to sleep at night because of their constant crowing.
He said: “They’re out of control now, there’s not just one or two. They’ve started coming into gardens and you get rats as well.
“If someone came and moved them, I’d buy them a big beer.”
Another frustrated local man, who did not want to be named, said: “I think they’re a total pest. It doesn’t help that people come and feed them.
“I wouldn’t want to buy one of these houses.”
‘Gives character to the place’
However, others are sticking up for the flock, saying the animals add to the village’s rural charm.
Graeme McQuade, 43, who has lived on the lane for 18 months after moving from Cambridge, said: “I have no issues with the chickens whatsoever.
“Before we moved here, we didn’t know chickens get up at 4 am, but it gives character to the place.”
A dog walker, who did not wish to be named, said: “There’s a lady that comes and feeds them and she’s had abuse.
“People in the new houses are moaning about them but they’ve been here such a long time and there’s more important things going on in the world than a few chickens. They should get a life.
“Two of the chickens have been in my garden since they were babies and they don’t bother me.”
The issues with the unruly flock were raised at the latest Snettisham Parish Council meeting.
The minutes read: “It was noted that members of the public throw all sorts of food down for the chickens.
“This is causing a rodent problem which is potentially a health hazard.”
‘Foul-smelling waste’
Councillors heard there was “uncertainty as to ownership of that land and ownership of the chickens”.
The council has now agreed to take specialist advice over the birds and consult a chicken rehoming charity to see if it can assist.
The authority has also agreed to put up warning signs asking people not to feed the birds.
The minutes add: “Councillors noted the concerns of residents local to the area with people dumping food waste for the chickens.
“This was leaving foul-smelling waste and encouraging rats to the area.”
