The peaceful sleep of the Snettisham village residents in Norfolk County in England is no more as the flock of about 100 feral chickens are rampaging through their garden and inviting rodents. Residents of the Snettisham village say the birds have been making their lives a living ‘hell’ by digging up their gardens, attracting rats and crowing through the night. The villagers have raised this issue with their parish council and have asked to remove the birds that live next to the common lane. While most villagers are frustrated about the chaos these chickens have spread, others are sticking up for the flock, saying the animals add to the village’s rural charm.
The villagers wished that the late-night crowing of the roosters was the only problem. It’s just one of the two major problems. The villagers claim that those travelling to see the birds from outside the area are dumping food for them, attracting rats. This has led to rising tensions between the residents of Senttisham village and the travellers who visit the birds. Conflict includes an exchange of cuss words and abuse.
Rod Mackenzie, a parish councillor of the village 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.” as quoted in the report by Daily Mail. He further said that the rats are quite sizable here and breed fast. He mentioned a week-old incident in which one of the travellers fed the roosters a quart of pink prawns which led to the digging of gardens and invited rats.
Ben King, 48, who lives on the lane where the birds nest, said he has to wear earplugs at night because of their constant crowing.
“They’re completely out of control now. It’s not just one or two anymore… if someone came and moved them, I’d gladly buy them a big beer,” he said to The Guardian.
Another resident who lives on the lane where the birds nest said that he has to wear earplugs to sleep at night because of their constant crowing. Another called these roosters a ‘Pest’ and noted that people coming to feed them creates more problems for the villagers. However, not all the residents have the same opinion about this issue.
Graeme McQuade, 43, who moved to this village from Cambridge a year ago said that she has no issues with the chicken. “Before we moved here, we didn’t know chickens get up at 4 am, but it gives character to the place,” added Graeme McQuade.
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