32 dumped chickens were caught on Saturday in a forest near Bergen op Zoom and safely housed at a fruit company and to ‘save the laying hen’. Ten chickens are still running around free. Forest ranger Erik de Jonge discovered the animals on Friday after a report. He did not dare to catch the chickens immediately because of the prevailing bird flu. “That could just be the reason they were dumped.”
After the find, the forester was not pleased with the dumping action. “What kind of heartless brat do you have to be to do this,” he said on social media.
Survive
The chickens were dazed with hunger and cold when the ranger found them. He was also curious if they would all survive the night. “These chickens are used to being safe in a coop. Here they are live prey for predators and dogs.”
Now that there is bird flu, strict rules apply to poultry. Animals may not just be picked up and transported. But inquiries revealed that this is allowed in exceptional situations. “This is his situation because otherwise they are doomed,” says the ranger.
Staff
Soon after he expressed his anger on social media, help was offered from all sides. With volunteers, the chickens were caught on Saturday, placed in pens and taken to a neighboring fruit farmer who could provide shelter. The chicks were brought to the animal organization ‘save the laying hen’.