Five Sussex chickens stolen from allotments in Ramsgate have been found in Margate.
The chickens, owned by plot holder John Moosab were swiped from the Stirling Way Allotments sometime between 7:40pm on August 28 and sunrise the following day.
John has been keeping chickens for around a decade and this group had been on the site for the last four years.
Fellow allotment member Graham Attwell said whoever took the birds had been equipped with tools to remove the hasp and staple from the woodwork of the chicken run without damaging the padlock.
The allotment group appealed through The Isle of Thanet News for any information to help them find the chickens – and just hours later they received news that the chooks had been found more than two miles away on allotments at Drapers Mill.
They were found wandering around on the site by Drapers Mill allotment holder Katrina Plumridge whose mum then saw The Isle of Thanet News appeal.
Stirling Way plot holder Natasha Bizarra said: “They got in touch and were absolutely sure the chickens were ours. As soon as John got there the chickens came running out to him.”
Katrina had managed to catch four of the five chickens. One more is still loose but is on the allotments somewhere.
Delighted John was so thankful that he has left one of the four rescued chickens in Katrina’s care and now returned the remaining three to his plot at Stirling Way.
Ramsgate plot holder Roger Godfrey said: “It’s a remarkable thing for them to be coming back, it’s wonderful.”
Graham added: “It’s fabulous and wouldn’t have happened with The Isle of Thanet News article. It was so lovely to find them. It’s very strange how they arrived at another allotments two and a half miles away!
“We are eternally grateful. It’s super that this has come through for everyone, especially the chickens who were a bit stressed.
“I’m really pleased and my grandson (who was so upset he planned to replace one of the chickens himself) will be too.”
Three chickens are now back home and it is hoped the remaining chicken will be caught soon.
Heart-warming news. I loved the bit about the chickens coming running towards John.
“I loved the bit about the chickens coming running towards John.”………That’s what the chickens in the supermarket freezers would do if only they had the chance……… A bit too subtle for some……..
Hens are so affectionate, we kept rescue hens for years. I still miss them, they’re great characters.
Why do people assume they was stolen .hasn’t anyone seen the film chicken run .🤣
A bit of Good news for once, hopefully the person or persons who stole them, do not return again and repeat their actions!
Hear Hear
Why leave vulnerable animals unattended on an allotment……they are not plants or bits if equipment.
Very true, Amy.
Hey amy
I appreciate that you may be concerned , I am on the allotments and am vegan myself i can assure you that these chickens are so loved and not exploited in any way. They are sentient beings like you or I. We have a 12 ft fence around the allotments and a 12 ft secured locked gate. Their night time enclosure had a lock which the thieves unscrewed. They are not left alone as there is generally someone there to check on them at all times so we are at a loss as to how they were taken. They now have a 24 hr camera set up on them , sadly whoever took them dodged the other cameras on site.
Honestly if I thought they were badly treated or neglected I would be the first to step in
Great news! Make us an omlette John.
Make it yourself, lazy git.
Ooh,get you big man.I bet you have a face like an omelette. 🤣