Chicken Rescued After Being Dumped in Public Bin in Winchester
A chicken left for dead inside a plastic carrier bag and thrown into a public rubbish bin has been given a second chance at life, thanks to a quick-thinking refuse collector in Winchester.
While on his early-morning route around 7 a.m. on Wednesday, Richard Colgrave noticed something unusual inside one of the bins. When he looked closer, he was shocked to find a weak, barely moving chicken wrapped tightly inside a TK Maxx shopping bag.
According to his daughter, Gemma Fullick-Colgrave, her father was “disgusted and angry” after realizing the bird had been deliberately abandoned. Believing the chicken was still alive, he carefully lifted her out and placed her in his truck, offering food and water and trying to warm her up as he continued his rounds.
“She was so cold and lifeless,” Gemma later said. “Her comb was pale, her eyes dull — it looked like she was on the edge of death.”
After contacting the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary and the RSPCA, Gemma arranged for the chicken to go to a family friend, Louis Page, who already kept hens and was eager to help.
Louis said he was “happy to welcome another one into the flock” and that the bird — now recovering at his home — is settling in well.
“At first, she was nervous and didn’t want to mix with the others,” he said. “But slowly she’s gaining confidence, exploring her new space, and even starting to eat properly again.”
Photos show the once-abandoned chicken standing in a spacious pen with food, water, and a “chicken swing” — a far cry from the plastic bag she was found in.
An RSPCA spokesperson thanked those who intervened, saying the charity is “grateful to the member of the public who gave the chicken a safe home” but noted that animal abandonment cases are rising sharply.
“Sadly, we’re seeing more animals being left behind and increasing pressure on our rescue centers,” they said. “Chickens can make wonderful pets, but they require time, care, and the right environment to thrive.”
Earlier this year, the RSPCA reported that incidents of animal cruelty across England and Wales had risen by more than a third in 2024 — a worrying trend the organization hopes to reverse through awareness and education.
Now safe and cared for, the rescued hen is slowly regaining her strength — a small but powerful reminder of the difference one compassionate act can make.