40 chickens suffocate or were stolen as thieves break into Titchfield farm

Richard Small, who runs Hollam Hill Farm, Titchfield, was 'upset' when his chicken house that was home to 200 free-range hens was broken into around a month ago.

As a result of the crime some chickens were stolen and others died when they suffocated during the panic, leaving him with 160.

Richard said: 'My daughter went to let the chickens out in the morning and found there had been a break-in.

‘Some of the chickens were stolen but quite a few died of suffocation, it was upsetting.

'And it was a problem after to produce enough eggs because we didn't have enough chickens left.

'I sell my eggs on to a business that then sells them to shops but I was having to buy some in.'

Residents who buy Richard’s eggs at Sheppard's Butchers in Drayton wanted to help.

Pharmacy worker Sue Hindmarch set up a Just Giving page to raise funds for some new hens and quickly received donations from 68 people from Drayton.

The 57-year-old said: 'People were so angry when they heard that someone had done this to him, especially at a time like this.

‘It left the community without eggs, because lots of us get them from the butchers who get them from Richard's farm.

‘I set out to raise £500 - I don't know how much chickens cost but I thought he could use it to install some security system as well to make sure it doesn't happen again. I'm amazed and so happy we have raised £1,200.’

Richard is hopeful the cash will help them rescue up to 200 more barn hens.

He said: 'I was over the moon, I was gobsmacked to hear how much money had been raised. People were really generous.

'The money will help us to rescue more chickens. We have already invested in a night-time camera and we are thinking about possible getting an alarm.'

Sue was aided in donating the money by Drayton Councillor Terry Norton who delivered the cheque to Richard

Cllr Norton said: ‘Now more than ever we need to look out for each other. This is community at its best and I’m thrilled by how quickly our residents came together to support a great local business.’

Hollam Hill Farm also produces free-range goat meat and beef as well as honey and seasonal vegetables and has its own farm shop.

A message from the Editor

Thank you for reading this story on portsmouth.co.uk. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription.

Subscribe to portsmouth.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to local news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit our Subscription page now to sign up.

Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website.