Cockerels in search of a new homes after they are dumped in woodland

The RSPCA is looking for new owners to come forward after the cockerels were rescued when they were found abandoned in a wooded area, just off the A1 close to the village of Belford.

Nineteen of the birds were caught by the charity’s staff and caring members of the public, with the last two captured a couple of days later.

RSPCA inspector Trevor Walker said: “We had a call about a large number of cockerels that had been dumped.

“Two of our animal collection officers, ACO Terry Haley and ACO Dave Dawson, attended but realised it was going to take more pairs of hands than they had between them to catch these birds.

“Four of us went along and, with the help of four local people - who were absolutely brilliant - used netting to corral as many as possible into a safe place.

“The last two were caught by one of the local people a couple of days later and, really happily, they were so taken with them that they decided to offer them a forever home.”

The 19 cockerels rounded up by the charity and helpers were temporarily boarded at RSPCA Felledge Animal Centre before being moved to the Chuckery, which look after and rehome poultry in Lancashire, with the search now on to find them new places to live.

Trevor said: “Whoever dumped these birds in this way gave absolutely no consideration to their welfare. Things definitely could have turned out a lot worse for them.

“We suspect they were abandoned as they were surplus to someone’s requirements.

“If anyone has any information about who owned the cockerels please call the RSPCA inspector appeal line on 0300 123 8018.

“They’re very pretty, in good health and doing well at the Chuckery and it sounds as though they’ll soon be in great new homes.”

The cockerels were first found on Friday, January 10.

Anyone interested in rehoming a cockerel can call Tracy Harrison on 07834 568820.