The dumping of unwanted poultry on roadsides in Tasmania is such an issue that certain hotspots are known as “chook” or “rooster corners”.
Maria Pavez and Adele Winslow share a seven-day roster feeding abandoned birds, varying in number from a couple to dozens, just a few kilometres south of Hobart.
Ms Pavez has been feeding dumped poultry for 18 years and a decade ago Ms Winslow began to help.
A rooster corner in southern Tasmania where unwanted birds have been dumped. (ABC News: Jordan Young)
“There are 17, sometimes 20, [dumped] roosters in one area,” Ms Pavez said.
“The more aggressive ones pick on the little ones, and then the timid ones [cannot compete, so] don’t get any food or water and they eventually get disease and die,” Ms Winslow said.
The women use their own money to purchase food for the birds but still see many suffer.
“If you aren’t able to dispose of them properly, then get somebody who can, but don’t dump them, it’s cruel,” Ms Winslow said.
Maria Pavez and Adele Winslow feed roosters dumped on roadsides. (ABC Hobart: Lucie Cutting)
Hundreds of birds surrendered
The Southern Tasmanian Poultry Club is trying to reduce the dumping of unwanted birds by holding amnesty and rehoming days at which hens and roosters can be surrendered or adopted.
In rows of cages, poultry of various shapes and sizes sit waiting for new homes.
A rooster awaits adoption at a poultry amnesty and rehoming day in Tasmania. (ABC Hobart: Lucie Cutting)
An amnesty is held annually in Ranelagh, but community demand means events are staged several times a year in various locations in the state’s north and south.
Amnesty coordinator Julie Devlyn says, in a two to three-hour period, up to 400 birds are surrendered.
“Even on days where it’s pouring down with rain and shocking weather, it doesn’t stop the people attending,” Ms Devlyn said.
“Turkeys, geese, ducks, pheasants. We’ve had all sorts of birds turn up.”
Kamdon attended an amnesty and rehoming day and was delighted to adopt a rooster. (ABC Hobart: Lucie Cutting)
Not all birds can be rehomed. Those that have noticeable diseases or an injury are humanely euthanased after surrender.
For healthy birds, it’s rare that any are left behind.
At the past four amnesties, Ms Devlyn said not a single bird was left.
A family takes home ISA Brown hens surrendered at the Ranelagh amnesty and rehoming day. (ABC Hobart: Lucie Cutting)
Why so many birds?
People give up poultry for many reasons but an increase in living expenses could be adding to the numbers.
Individual councils have their own legislation on poultry ownership that can dictate the number and sex of birds that can be kept.
The majority that include suburbia do not allow for roosters.
Almost 50 per cent of fertilised eggs or broods of chicks become roosters.
The average backyard poultry owner may not have the skills to discern a bird’s sex early on.
“They’ll raise them and get attached to the birds … then they’ll start crowing,” Ms Devlyn said.
“That’s when they’ll get a knock on the door from a local law enforcement officer, or a letter to let them know a neighbour has complained that they’ve got roosters, and they need to get rid of them.”
Poultry awaiting adoption at the Ranelagh showgrounds in Tasmania. (ABC Hobart: Lucie Cutting)
Trends such as “rainbow egg layers” can push up surrenders.
Some poultry owners diversify their flock to achieve a range of egg colours such as blue, pink, brown, white and green.
Ms Devlyn said increased household expenses were the greatest motivator to surrender birds at present.
“The price of poultry food has gone through the roof,” Ms Devlyn said.
“When the price has gone up 20 to 30 per cent and other costs have gone up, the justification [for keeping poultry] just isn’t there for some people.”
This can lead to abandonment of poultry on roadsides and in parks.
Alternative solutions
Nationwide, solutions to excess poultry vary.
Some states hold auctions or have dedicated buyers who travel around the state to buy excess birds.
Ros McMillan, president of the Darwin and Rural Poultry Club, said social media groups dedicated to selling and surrendering unwanted birds had become an “efficient way” of dealing with the issue.
Ros McMillan says classes are held in Darwin to teach people how to prepare poultry for consumption (Supplied: Ros McMillan)
Classes teaching people how to prepare birds for consumption have proved popular in Darwin.
Ms McMillan believes there is a strong push toward self-sufficiency, after flooding cut off major highways and led to food shortages, as well as interruptions to egg supplies.
The club has hosted two sessions and has plans for more.
All sorts of birds are surrendered at poultry amnesty and rehoming days in Tasmania. (ABC Hobart: Lucie Cutting)
For now, the southern Tasmania poultry club does not plan to host similar sessions.
“It may be something that we end up running in future … but you’ve got to weigh up what you expend your time on,” Ms Devlyn said.
“There’s a huge community need in the whole of Tasmania [for amnesties] … and it’s wonderful to provide it as a community service.”
