Police investigate fowl play after bird stolen (From Evesham Journal)

Police investigate fowl play after bird stolen

7:20am Tuesday 18th May 2010 in News

THIEVES have made off with what they hope will be the goose with the golden eggs after stealing a special guineafowl from a property in Defford.

Chicken rearers Lyn and Tom Newman, who featured in last week’s Journal after they discovered a rare guin - a guinea-cross - amongst their flock last month, made another more unsatisfactory discovery following a routine early morning inspection at their smallholding on Sunday.

The couple found that intruders had made off with the male guineafowl which had made its home amongst the hens. The birds do not normally cross-breed, but the announcement last week that they had discovered the fruits of its labour had alerted someone, said Tom.

He explained: “The bird was still in the flock on Saturday, but it was gone by about 5.30am on Sunday morning.

“My wife gets up early to let the birds out and was very upset when she noticed it was gone. There was nothing to indicate what had happened. It was as if we had never had it.

“All this within 12 hours of the story gaining national publicity, and a few days after the local paper had it.

“We don’t hold out much hope of retrieving the bird, it has no markings and it’s worth just £10. What made it unique was that it sired a guin, and they are worth a few bob.”

He added: “The cages are in an open field but within eyesight of the house. They were not locked, but we had never had any problems up until now.”

West Mercia Police confirmed that it had received a call about the theft at about 10am on Monday.

Police spokesman, Porcha Treanor, said: “The owner is very upset about the disappearance of the bird and police are appealing for witnesses.

“Anyone with information relating to the its disappearance is urged to call West Mercia Police on 0300 333 3000, with reference number 205S 17/05/10.”