Residents of Snettisham, Norfolk, are in a flap over an invasion of about 100 feral chickens. These unruly birds are wreaking havoc on gardens and disturbing sleep with their relentless clucking, leaving locals at their wit’s end.
The chickens, thought to have wandered in from a nearby wood, have turned the village into a chaotic mess. To make matters worse, visitors coming to see the spectacle are leaving food behind, which attracts rats. This has led to rising tensions between residents and visitors.
Desperate for a solution, villagers have appealed to the parish council, even considering the drastic step of removing the chickens altogether.
Rod Mackenzie, a parish councillor, is fed up with the damage to gardens and the rat problem caused by discarded food. “They’re a pain in the butt,” he says. “It’s not just food for the chickens; they eat any scraps they find, which brings rats.”
Ben King, another resident, finds sleep impossible due to the constant crowing. “They’re out of control now,” he sighs, longing for peaceful nights.
However, not everyone is unhappy. Newcomer Graeme McQuade finds the chickens’ presence charming, while others see it as a quirky part of village life.
As tensions rise, the fate of Snettisham’s feathered invaders remains uncertain. With the threat of a rat infestation looming, the battle for peace in this quaint Norfolk village continues.