Cockerels removed from garden after neighbours complain

A man has been asked to remove six cockerels from the garden of his Cambridgeshire home after neighbours complained about the noise.

Environmental health officers from East Cambridgeshire District Council investigated a complaint made against Paul Boon, who lives in Littleport.

His landlords have now advised him to remove the birds.

Mr Boon has since eaten one of the cockerels for Sunday lunch but plans to send the rest to a nearby farm.

"He was a bit tough," Mr Boon said. "So these others have got a reprieve."

'Country sounds'

As well as cockerels, he keeps chickens, ducks, geese, owls, a hawk, cats and dogs in his large garden.

"Crowing is a country sound," Mr Boon said. "If you live in the area, you expect country sounds.

"Next there will be complaints about the pigeons cooing in the trees."

A spokesman from East Cambridgeshire District Council said: "Following complaints, environmental health officers monitored the noise caused by the cockerels and found that they were creating a nuisance for neighbours.

"That information was passed to [landlord] Sanctuary Housing, who decided what action to take with regard to the birds."

A spokesperson for the company said: "We have been advised by environmental health that the birds are causing noise disturbance and if Mr Boon does not remove them, the authority may be forced to take action. We have therefore urged Mr Boon to follow this advice."

Mr Boon says he now fears for the future of one of his geese. "He makes quite a noise when you come to feed him and that has already been mentioned."

However, he is not worried about the cockerels and said he did not plan to visit them at the farm.

"They will be quite happy and will have plenty of lady friends to sort out," Mr Boon said.