Family pet chickens stolen from Birkenhead allotment

Claire Orr, from Birkenhead, had six of her chickens stolen from Shakeshaft Allotments over a two-night period.

So far, four of the chickens have been returned after being found dumped in random locations across Birkenhead.

Claire is now appealing for information on the whereabouts of the remaining two.

Claire's son Holden has looked after the chickens everyday throughout the pandemic

Claire told the Globe: “When my husband went to let the chickens out on Tuesday night, we noticed the shed had been broken into and three chickens had gone missing.

“The door was completely pulled off its hinges, so it was obviously deliberate.”

Claire and her husband repaired the door on Wednesday evening only to find on Thursday morning another three chickens had been stolen along with 10kg of bird food.

“At first I thought this is a bit of a pain because the person who has robbed them has probably done it for the eggs but they’re old rescue chickens, so they are no use to anyone,” Claire said.

“I thought they are probably going to get killed really quickly or someone will use them for animal baiting.

Claire's son Holden with his pet chicken

“It’s a horrible thought that they may be getting torn apart by a dog or something.”

Since the chickens went missing, Claire said she is most upset about telling her four-year-old son, Holden.

She said: “They are his pets. All throughout lockdown he went out and looked after them every day.

“Luckily I had dropped him off at school before he realised the chickens had gone missing, so I’ve not had to have that conversation with him yet.”

Claire said she has now had to temporarily rehome their remaining chickens in fear of more being stolen.

“They are his pets. All throughout lockdown he went out and looked after them every day."

She said: “We’re having to explain to Holden that the chickens are going on holiday for a little bit so he can’t look after them anymore.

“It’s the fact I’ve now got to explain it to a four-year-old that his pets are gone, and we probably won’t get them back and we don’t even know where they are.

“It’s taking the innocence away from a little boy.”

Since posting on social media about the missing pets, Claire has been reunited with four of the missing hens which were dumped in random locations in Birkenhead.

Claire said: “The first one was found behind the fire station, the second one was near the transport museum and the third and fourth were found together by the North End Asda.

“Whoever has had them has scattered them around because there is no way they could get that far from each other.”

“It’s taking the innocence away from a little boy.”

Claire said the third and fourth chicken were returned by a woman who found them with two teenagers.

“She told me they were trying to run them over and kill them so we’re not sure if they happened to find them or they actually took them,” Claire said.

“It’s completely heartless. The other two chickens that are missing are the size of guinea pigs their only little things.

She added: “They are overly friendly so will just go to anyone. Whoever has stolen them isn’t going to get anything from them they’re little old ladies.

“If they aren’t found soon it’s not going to end well for them. A fox will probably get them. We just want them back with our family.”