Theft of Chickens

Police received a report on 23rd August 2025 of theft of chickens from allotments in Hutton Cranswick, East Riding of Yorkshire. 

Police commenced an investigation in relation to the theft of approx 85 - 150 chickens stolen from an allotment.  

Between 2000 hrs on Friday 22nd August 2025 and the morning of Saturday 23rd August 2025,   Person or persons unknown have approached the allotment from fields behind the allotment, and then approached pens inside the allotment and stolen chickens from within the allotment and from two small sheds that were also broken into causing damage.  Three bags of seed were also stolen from the shed. 

The offenders have then made off across the field. 

The Suspect vehicle is believed to be a Landrover Freelander 2 post 2009 model. VRM unknown. Male suspect is described as late 40's, white , skinhead, heavy build, no facial hair - he was driving a land rover freelander 2 in dark blue. No trailer. 

A list of the stolen chickens are as follows - 

Large Fowl;

Jersey Giants - 2 Black male, 2 Blue male, 4 Blue hens, 3 Black hens. (£50 per bird). £550

Ayam Cemani - 2 Male, 1 Female (one Male likely worth £100 other £30, female £50). £170

Cream Legbar  - 1 Male, approx. 6-8 females (male £20, females £35). £300

Leghorn - Isabella male, Exchequer male, 2 Isabella female, 1 lavender female, 1 black female, 2 yellow females, 4 exchequer females (males £20, females £40). £420

Copper Black Marans - 1 male, 4 hens (male £20, female £40). £180

Silver Duckwing Welsummer  - 1 hen (£35)

Poland - 1 white crested black female (£50)

Approx. 4-6 cross breed hens (£20) £120

Bantams; 

Polands - 3 smooth chamois males (£40) 4 frizzle chamois females (£60). 2 smooth silver laced poland males (£40). 1 frizzle silver laced male (£40). 1 smooth silver laced female (£60). 1 frizzle silver laced female (£60) £600

Sebrights - 1 male, 2 females (male £30, female £40) £110

Belgians - 2 female silver quail d'anvers (£30), 1 female silver quail grubbe (£30) £90

Silver legbar - 2 male, 1 female (injured female, not likely worth much. Male £10) £20

Wyandotte - 1 Colombian male (£20), 1 Colombian female (£40). 1 buff laced female (missing an eye, monetarily not worth much). £60

Norfolk grey - 2 males (£20)

Rhode island red - 1 male (£20)

So approximately £2745 worth of birds and £70 worth of feed. Around £100 worth of damage in total.

Following this on Monday 25th August 2025 between 1615 hrs and 1940 hrs around 16 chickens were located dumped in a lay- by close to Dowthorpe Hall, Skirlaugh. 6 were dead and 11 alive. 

Police are appealing for any witnesses to the theft and the subsequent potential sightings of the vehicle involved in the theft and dumping of the stolen chickens. Police are also appealing for anyone that has any CCTV, ring doorbell footage or dashcam footage that may assist Police with their enquiries to get in touch on 101. The vehicle may be missing a nearside lower door trim that it left at the crime scene.