UK Village Tormented By 100 Rampaging Feral Chickens, Causing Sleepless Nights

Snettisham Village in Norfolk County, England, is experiencing turmoil due to a flock of around 100 feral chickens causing havoc in residents' gardens and attracting rodents. The once peaceful village has been turned upside down as these birds have made life unbearable for many. They dig up gardens, attract rats, and crow loudly through the night. The villagers, who have had enough of this chaos, have approached their parish council, requesting the removal of the birds living near the common lane.

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The situation has created a divide among the villagers. While most are frustrated with the mess and noise, some residents appreciate the rural charm the chickens add to the village. The constant crowing of the roosters at night is just one of the major issues. Another significant problem is the visitors who come to see the birds and leave food for them, attracting rats and exacerbating the situation. This has led to rising tensions between the residents of Snettisham and the visitors, often resulting in heated exchanges and abusive language.

Rod Mackenzie, a parish councillor, expressed his frustration: "They¡¯re a pain in the butt. If they come into your garden, they dig everything up. It¡¯s not just food for the chickens, it¡¯s every bit of detritus they can find and that brings rats," he told the Daily Mail. He highlighted a recent incident where a visitor fed the roosters a quart of pink prawns, leading to more garden digging and an increase in rat activity. Mackenzie also noted that the rats are quite large and breed quickly in the area.

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Ben King, 48, who lives on the lane where the birds nest, has resorted to wearing earplugs at night due to their incessant crowing. "They¡¯re completely out of control now. It¡¯s not just one or two anymore¡­ if someone came and moved them, I¡¯d gladly buy them a big beer," he told The Guardian.

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Other residents on the lane share King's frustration. One described the roosters as a 'pest' and pointed out that the visitors feeding them only add to the villagers' problems. However, not everyone in Snettisham is against the chickens. Graeme McQuade, 43, who moved to the village from Cambridge a year ago, has no issues with the birds. "Before we moved here, we didn¡¯t know chickens get up at 4 am, but it gives character to the place," she said.

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As the debate continues, the parish council faces pressure to address the situation and find a solution that satisfies both the frustrated residents and those who find charm in the presence of the feral chickens.

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