Animal rescuer warns of rooster influx, says school hatching programs making issue worse
An Adelaide animal rescuer is urging people to stop dumping roosters, and says school hatching programs could be contributing to the problem.
An Adelaide animal rescuer reports a surge in calls regarding abandoned roosters, attributing the issue to school egg hatching programs. The South Australian Education Department is unsure of the number of hatching programs in schools but emphasizes its concern for animal welfare. Fairview Lodge Animal Shelter president Kerri Bryant has reached capacity and cannot accept more roosters, fearing the spread of bird flu.
She argues that school programs are exacerbating the problem by enabling irresponsible breeding. The RSPCA opposes poultry egg hatching programs in schools due to welfare concerns. Councils like Salisbury and Onkaparinga discourage rooster keeping due to noise issues. The department highlights its support for schools but leaves program implementation to individual schools.
Animal rescue organizations warn of an expected influx of flu-affected birds, straining their limited resources and potentially forcing them to euthanize the birds.
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