More than 50 of the Titirangi chickens have been successfully removed since the re-homing operation began this week.
It is hoped the remaining estimated 150 chickens who have evaded capture so far will be rounded up within the next few weeks for re-homing.
In June, Waitakere Ranges Local Board agreed to remove the birds as they were posing an increased health and safety risk. The captured chickens have been transferred to a holding location in Kumeu, where they will be checked by a vet to determine their health and well-being.
Auckland Council Head of Operational Management, Agnes McCormack, says the operation to re-home the chickens is going well, and if also proving a bit challenging.
“This process has been carefully planned with the welfare of the birds the top priority. We received a significant number of offers to re-home the birds and want to thank everyone who offered to provide homes for the chickens.
“While we were grateful for all the offers, the majority were offering to re-home between one and five at a time, meaning the flock would have been split up.
“However, two of the offers we received were at locations that could take all the birds between them, meaning the birds could remain in two large groups, and the space available would offer the birds a high quality of life.
“So, we have been pleased to accept these two offers and the birds will be re-homed at the locations as the project progresses.”
While all healthy chickens will be re-homed to the two large sites in Auckland, chickens requiring attention will be given to the New Beginnings Rescue & Re-homing Trust who will nurse the chickens back to health.
“In addition to ensuring the new homes are fit for purpose, we received a generous offer from the Rescue Trust who will care for all birds found to be sick before finding new homes for them”, says Ms McCormack.
“That is a great result for the birds and will mean that none need to be culled, which is a fantastic outcome and one which we are sure everyone will welcome.”
The re-homing operation will continue until as many as possible of the birds have been caught.
