Headlines

With the increase in pullet prices organised gangs are targeting free range farms stealing in large numbers and possibly to order.

Whilst most of the thefts have involved rare-breeds their are reports of laying stock also being targeted.

Retired gas engineer Nigel Cank, who had 150 of his 200 rare-breed poultry stolen in one night, said yesterday: "I think there must have been up to six of them, and it was a pretty professional job.

"They sorted the birds out on site, leaving one or two that weren't quite up to scratch. The birds, from about 13 rare breeds, were mostly point-of-lay pullets and would have fetched nearly £2,000 on the open market.

Another poultry farm had 200 free-range laying hens stolen from their sheds at about the same time. The owners, in Cheshire, declined to comment.

Thieves also stole 40 rare-breed poultry and hen-keeping equipment from a smallholder near Matlock, Derbyshire.

Owner Jane Hutchinson said: "Not only did they steal poultry but many more items, so they must have been around for some time loading up. There must have been some sort of van to get all the poultry and tackle in. The police have said this is becoming a problem with the rare, expensive birds.

"The thieves seemed to know where things were, so I feel that they had possibly been in or watched the field. Nearly all the poultry fencing was taken."