More Than 2,500 Day Old Chicks Suffer Horror Death In Stifling Heat (From Smallholder)

More Than 2,500 Day Old Chicks Suffer Horror Death In Stifling Heat

4:33pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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The RSPCA has been left reeling after over 2,500 day old chicks have suffered a horrendous death when dumped in boxes in a lay-by in direct sunlight.

The 33 neatly stacked boxes were discovered yesterday on Chemical Lane, Stoke (the road leading to Queensway Industrial Estate). The boxes contained pheasant and red legged partridge chicks, all of which were only a day old. When RSPCA inspector John Groarke attending he was horrified to find most of the chicks lying lifeless in the boxes after being unable to survive the sweltering heat.

“I am very angry that someone dumped these chicks to die. It was extremely distressing to open the boxes and find that most of the chicks had been overcome by the heat and to witness the strongest chicks crawling over the dead birds fighting to survive,” said inspector Groarke.

“To me it would appear to be an act of sheer laziness where someone has got out of a vehicle and neatly stacked these boxes in direct sunlight and drove off leaving the birds to suffer a horrendous death.”

“It is possible that someone had just bought the chicks at market and then had second thoughts, or possibly the chicks were dying in the heat while being transported and the delivery driver decided to dump them. Whatever the reason these birds didn’t stand a chance and I appeal to anyone who either witnessed anything or who knows where these chicks came from to please contact me” continued John.

Inspector Groarke had the upsetting task of counting the number of dumped chicks. The boxes contained 2,590 chicks. Only 54 chicks were alive. They were taken to vets where sadly 22 dying chicks were put to sleep. The remaining 32 chicks were taken to the RSPCA’s Stapeley Grange Wildlife Centre in Nantwich. Tragically a further 20 have since died. The remaining 12 chicks, which are in an incubator, are said to be very weak and in a poor condition.

Anyone with information is urged to call the RSPCA national cruelty and advice line on 0300 1234 999. Calls will be treated in confidence.

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