CHICKENS are being dumped in Sussex amid growing concerns surrounding bird flu.

The RSPCA fears they are being abandoned after lots of people went out and brought chicks during lockdown and now cannot take care of them, particularly in light of bird flu warnings.

The animal welfare charity, based in Horsham, has already dealt with 29 incidents in the county and is concerned its rescue centres will soon be overrun with abandoned hens and cockerels.

The Argus: Three chickens were abandoned in Eastleigh.Three chickens were abandoned in Eastleigh.

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, due to the shops being better stocked, 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.”

So far this year, the RSPCA has dealt with 1,594 incidents related to chickens across England and Wales and has had “abandonment incidents” relating to 1,562 birds.

The Argus: The RSCPA fears the country is facing a "chicken crisis."The RSCPA fears the country is facing a "chicken crisis."

The charity has also taken 280 chickens into its centres for rehoming.

It fears that this problem could worsen as cases of bird flu are confirmed across the country, in both wild birds and those in captivity.

Due to the national outbreak, the government has urged bird keepers 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 they have any concerns for their birds.

“We’re concerned that worries about bird flu and changes to how we’re allowed to keep hens 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 poultry from the RSPCA.