Rooster Rescue and Rehoming NQ calls for residents and council to make changes

It’s a flocked up situation facing Townsville’s roosters, with residents and the council being urged to change their approaches. Read about the seldom discussed challenge.

Rooster Rescue and Rehoming North Queensland volunteers need community support to take in their feathered friends. Picture: Supplied.

It’s a crowing shame how bad things are for Townsville’s roosters, with a local organisation calling for residents to make better decisions regarding chicken ownership and for the council to adjust its avian approach.

Backyard breeding and buying cute fluffy chicks without planning ahead were the main reasons why so many people were looking to move on their roosters, scrambling to rehome them once they start to crow because of the fear of complaints and monetary fines.

Townsville’s current council policy and local laws mean people can’t have roosters in suburbia, yet the local pound will not accept roosters, and the wilful dumping and abandonment of animals is an offence under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001.

Formed by six like-minded people three years ago, not-for-profit organisation Rooster Rescue and Rehoming North Queensland (RRRNQ) works to improve the outcomes for chickens, and roosters in particular.

Assisted by some sponsorship, the self-funded group works closely with farm animal sanctuaries and charities in the region including Michelle’s Ark, Wyld Hearts Sanctuary and newly formed charity Connie’s Coop, operating at full capacity in two main flocks across two separate properties.

Rooster Rescue and Rehoming North Queensland's catch crew – Helen Lynn, Renay Robinson, Toni McCormack, Samara Grumberg. Picture: Supplied.

RRRNQ has received rehoming requests for 192 roosters since January – an average of nearly five rooster surrender requests each week – mostly from Townsville locals, but also statewide and even internationally.

Unable to accept any more roosters, despite guilt-trips from people who have either hatched the chickens themselves, or have raised unsexed chicks, the group’s spokeswoman Helen Lynn took to social media to highlight the seldom discussed issue.

“We would love to be able to take in all of these boys that risk suffering an awful fate simply because they were born roosters in a world that doesn’t value them, and sees them as expendable. But we can’t, it’s just not possible,” Ms Lynn said.

Rooster Jake was fortunate to be rehomed after being dumped near the Borrow Pits in Kelso. Picture: Supplied.

“Rehoming roosters is a challenging task. We have approximately 70 permanent resident roosters under our care that need food, shelter and vet care as their ongoing basic needs.

“There are so many more roosters than there are safe homes willing and able to take them.”

Ms Lynn said the current local government policies created the absurd situation where people are allowed, according to current local laws, to have chicks on their property, while simultaneously being in breach of those same laws, for having male chickens.

RRRNQ member Renay Robinson with Elwood, a rooster dumped near Ross River Dam who has since been rehomed. Picture: Supplied.

“Current council policy and local laws means that people can’t have roosters in suburbia, but there is nothing in place to curb breeding (backyard or otherwise), hatching, and raising chicks,” she said.

“The answer has to be a combination of community attitude, awareness and local government systemic change.”

The group has encouraged families to wait just a little longer before acquiring chickens for their backyard, until it was clear that the chickens were hens.

Bantam roosters Larry and Burt have found their voices and need a new home. Can you help? Picture: Supplied.

RRRNQ also urged the council to reconsider their local laws around the keeping of chickens, and provide constructive options for people needing to rehome roosters.

Townsville City Council spokeswoman said all animal owners needed to ensure that their pets did not create noise disturbances which impacted on their neighbours.

“The laws related to the keeping of roosters in Townsville City allows roosters on properties larger than 4000 square metres, however the owner must ensure the roosters do not create a noise disturbance,” the spokeswoman said.

Under current local law a noise disturbance is defined as:

(i) noise that is made for more than a total of six minutes in any hour from 7am to 10pm on any day; or

(ii) noise that is made for more than a total of three minutes in any 30-minute period on any day after 10pm or before 7am.

Connie's Coop is caring for Rudolph after he was rescued a few weeks ago. He needs a flock to call his own, and to be the only rooster in the henhouse. Picture: Supplied.

“Council continuously advocates for responsible pet ownership, including in the case of roosters. If a resident chooses to purchase unsexed or young poultry it is their responsibility to speak to the seller to return roosters,” she said.

“Members of the community are encouraged to undertake their own research before purchasing or adopting animals to ensure they can meet the needs of the animal.

“Council continues to review current Local Laws and policies for the benefit of the overall community.”

For more information, visit: www.facebook.com/roosfordays.

Townsville’s rooster problem in numbers

• 87 posts on the Townsville Poultry Facebook pages trying to rehome at least 159 roosters between July and December 2023.

• Nine roosters successfully rehomed by the group since January 2024.

• 192 rooster rehoming requests since January 2024.

• 19 dumped roosters caught and five yet to be captured since June 2024.

Originally published as Rooster Rescue and Rehoming NQ calls for residents and council to make changes