The cockerels looking for a forever home after bird flu lockdown

A flock of cockerels have been residents at St Francis Animal Welfare for nearly two years and are keen to move onto pastures new.

Rehoming the cockerels has been made harder due to Avian Flu lockdown, according to the Fair Oak shelter.

Staff and volunteers ‘love having cockerels at the shelter’ but they need to be rehomed to balance out the flock.

Two of the cockerels needing homes (Image: St Francis Animal Welfare)

Shelter manager Katie Obrien said: “Staff are extremely fond of them, but we ideally need the balance to be restored.

“They are tricky to rehome as people with backyard flocks in busy areas can’t really have cockerels due to potential noise.

“The number of cockerels is also limited to number you can have per hen.

“Most people say the optimum number for a cockerel is 10, but this can vary with breed.

“Cockerels also don't lay eggs which is why they end up being kept as pets.

“The birds are obviously very majestic, with their coloration and feathers - and we’ve got a variety of breeds.”

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There are 12 to 14 cockerels needing homes, and the shelter is keen to raise awareness of their situation.

There are several cockerels who have spent ‘far too long’ in the shelter as a result of the continual annual lockdown of Avian Flu.

An outbreak in the area meant the cockerels have spent most of their time inside – a far from ideal life for a bird.

The cockerels are looking for a home with lots of space where they can be outside, free to roam in the daytime, but locked up in a fox-proof shelter at night.