Heartbreak as 17 chickens stolen from inner-city farm in Birmingham

Chickens at the Balsall Heath City Farm which claims it has been targeted by thieves

An inner-city farm providing families with access to animals has been left devastated after 17 chickens were stolen.

Balsall Heath City Farm bosses said it suffered a burglary in the early hours of Tuesday last week.

The site has been running for more than 40 years providing educational visits for schools.

Workers had been forced to explained to children why the birds had vanished, it said.

Farm manager Hywel Williams said police were investigating and added it was the second time a theft had occurred after rabbits, guinea pigs and a turkey went missing in December last year.

He said the farm would not be able to replace the chickens until its security had improved.

"We are heartbroken and disgusted that we have had a break-in on the farm," the farm said on social media.

The farm provides families with access to animals

The stolen birds included six white star slender egg layers and five hyline egg layers which had been reared since Easter.

Six other assorted chickens were also taken.

"[They] all had names [and] were characters," the statement went on.

"It's worth noting that the egg layers only cost us £90 in total but it's the damage and months and years of caring for them that means that this really hits us."

The farm, which has set up a fundraising page for repairs and replacement, said egg sales were a useful revenue stream so children could learn about feeding the chickens.

Asked if animals were at particular risk in the winter, Mr Williams said he was not sure.

"I would like to think the cost of living crisis hasn't got anything to do with it," he said.