Leo the Rooster and brood dumped in Campsie park

THIRTEEN chickens, including Leo the rooster, have been dumped in a guinea pig hatch at a Campsie park.

Catherine Kelaher of Hen Rescue NSW with one of the chickens which were dumped in Campsie on Wednesday.

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THIRTEEN chickens, including Leo the rooster, have been dumped in a guinea pig hatch at a Campsie park, with NSW Hen Rescue saying this is nothing to crow about because sadly dumping is happening in several local suburbs.

Christine Kelaher, who founded NSW Hen Rescue in 2010, said a resident found these chickens while walking her dog on Wednesday morning near Scahill St, Campsie.

The mother hen was already dead, with Mrs Kelaher saying she may have died while protecting her brood.

Catherine Kelaher comforts one of the chickens, whom she says is stressed.

‘‘I couldn’t believe it when I saw the chickens,” said Kirsti Claymore, who found the chickens.

“I saw an open guinea pig hutch and 12 chickens roaming around looking scared.

“My heart broke to see a 13th hen dead on the ground.

“It made me sick someone had been so cruel.

“I couldn’t just leave them there so I contacted NSW Hen Rescue and used my local community Facebook groups to find more volunteers.”

Leo the Rooster with some of his brood.

Mrs Kelaher, a vegan for many years, said Inner West WIRES volunteers helped Ms Claymore gather the chickens though one was found the next day hiding in the bushes.

The rooster, who has been named Leo, and his brood are now with Mrs Kelaher until they are rehomed.

“We usually rescue chickens from factory farms, butt when we heard one hen was already dead, we had to get over there as soon as possible,” said Mrs Kelaher, who migrated from England several years ago.

“They were at risk from predators and they had no food so we were pleased a local person cared enough to get in touch with us.

More than 150 free range hens destined for slaughter were rescued from a property at Somersby by NSW Hen Rescue last week.

“We are getting a lot of calls about dumped chickens from the south west Sydney area.

“This a problem with society because many people see chickens as disposable or items to use.

“They breed them or take part in school hatching projects and don’t think about what they will do with the roosters.

“You can’t keep roosters in residential areas, so it is irresponsible to bring them into the world.

“People need to understand that chickens deserve compassion just like dogs or cats and that when you take them on, you take them on for life.

“Chickens are all individuals with likes, dislikes and different personalities.

“For example Leo the rooster is incredibly gentle and sweet with the hens.

“They deserve care and respect. They deserve not to be exploited.”

“We have a vetting system in place ... when a chicken comes into our care we want to make sure they are safe for life.

“After everything they’ve been through it’s important to us to keep this family together.”

“Our motto is: “Saving one animal may not change the world, but it will change the world for that one animal.”

■ To adopt, foster or donate towards vet bills visit henrescue.org