A BIRDKEEPER has been reunited with chickens that were stolen from his allotment – but is still missing two show birds.

Stephen Corkhill was ‘sickened’ by a spate of recent chicken thefts in Hensingham, Whitehaven, which saw some of his birds snatched from their pens.

Mr Corkhill, who has been breeding and showing birds for 40 years, has now been reunited with three of his missing chickens after they were recovered from a garden.

Poultry champion, Stephen Corkhill with his Furness old English game pullet at Eskdale Show in 2014Poultry champion, Stephen Corkhill with his Furness old English game pullet at Eskdale Show in 2014 (Image: John Story)

He says they have settled back in to their home but two of his show birds are still missing.

Mr Corkhill said: “They mixed together no problem. They were all hatched from the same pair so they are sisters.

The three stolen chickens are reunited with their sistersThe three stolen chickens are reunited with their sisters (Image: Submitted)

“I was going to enter one of the show birds for Skelton Show but he’s gone. The other one, a black cockerel, was fresh blood for my own but that went too.

“It just sickens you. I have been at it nearly 40 years and I’m coming up to retirement now. I wanted this to carry on but it just makes you think if it’s going to be worthwhile.

“A lot of things need to be replaced like sheds and breeding pens. You don’t want to spend money to have this done. Sometimes it makes me think, it’s time to give up, but I don’t want to give up.”

A police investigation was launched following the disappearance of the chickens and a man has now been charged with two counts of theft. Owen Carr, 33, of Whitehaven, will appear at Workington Magistrates’ Court on September 3.

A spokesperson for Cumbria Police said: “Thank you to those involved for your patience and commitment to the case.”