Birds making my life hell
A BECCLES pensioner recovering from cancer is pleading for help to banish wild cockerels from her neighbourhood that keep her awake at night.Iris Farmer, from Bridge Street, said she has had increasing trouble sleeping because of the noise, since several cockerels and hens were dumped not far from her home near Beccles quay last year.
A BECCLES pensioner recovering from cancer is pleading for help to banish wild cockerels from her neighbourhood that keep her awake at night.
Iris Farmer, from Bridge Street, said she has had increasing trouble sleeping because of the noise, since several cockerels and hens were dumped not far from her home near Beccles quay last year.
Mrs Farmer, who is 82, and has had half a lung removed because of lung cancer, said the problem was becoming worse because the birds had bred and now numbered about 20.
She said: “The cockerels are crowing on and off during the day and during the night.
“It can start at 2am and they don't do a cock-a-doodle-doo, they are not domesticated. They are completely wild and the call you get is a screech.
“It's gradually getting worse because there are more and more of them.”
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A Waveney District Council spokesman confirmed that it was powerless to take action as the birds were deemed “wild” and therefore no-one could be held accountable.
Andrew Reynolds, Waveney's principal environmental health officer, appealed for the owner of the birds to come forward to claim them.
Mrs Farmer said: “I don't sleep very well. They wake me up. I can't get back to sleep and I'm taking more sleeping tablets. I've taken up to nine in one night.”
She said the noise and the mess were causing upset to her and other residents in the area, and added that the birds have also strayed into and ruined gardens.
“If you leave your door open they will come in,” she said. “It's unhealthy.”
Mrs Farmer said she would welcome any help, adding: “I've tried all sorts of things. It's down to the likes of us but the trouble is we're laymen. We haven't got a clue how to catch chickens.”
The owner can contact Mr Reynolds at Waveney District Council on 01502 523113.
