‘Good Life’ chickens dumped by owners (From Gazette)

‘Good Life’ chickens dumped by owners

6:50pm Wednesday 10th June 2009

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AN animal rescue centre has received an influx of chickens dumped by owners who turned to the “Good Life” to beat the recession.

Mistley Place Park, in New Road, Mistley, has had several clutches of the birds dropped off by owners who cannot look after them.

Maureen Taylor, who runs the centre, says more people are buying chickens to combat the credit crunch, but find caring for them is a step too far.

She said: “Some bright sparks have thought they will beat the recession and have fresh eggs every morning.

“They think it’s a wonderful idea, but they don’t take into account the care they need.

“People have all sorts of wrong ideas. They don’t realise that they don’t lay every day and they rip up plants and gardens and attract rats if they are not cleaning them out.”

B&Q, which started selling chicken coops a few years ago, has reported a 25 per cent jump in sales of its £337 poultry coop.

Mrs Taylor said people should properly research animals before they consider buying them so no more end up on her doorstep.

She added: “They need to think about what they are doing and make sure they have all of the information they need.

“We don’t want anymore chickens here.”

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