Villagers cry foul over who rules roost
Auckland’s chicken population has begun to take roost across the city. However, people were divided over the rise in poultry stock, particularly when found wantonly crossing the street in West Auckland.
Simon Bradley, a real estate agent in Titirangi, said while the local colony of chickens were controversial, they added character to local community.
‘‘Chickens add a bit of country flavour to the city.’’
But Lucy, the manager of the Hardware Cafe in Titirangi, said the 20 or so chickens living in the village were a menace.
‘‘Nothing gets done about them. Someone comes around to feed them at about 2.30 or 3pm. They kind of belong to her, but she doesn’t do anything to control them,’’ she said.
‘‘They are a menace. They are also kind of dangerous. The chickens cross the road and people slam on their brakes.’’
She said complaining to the council did nothing.
Chicken lover Barbara Burnside said she had spent $16,000 feeding the chooks every day for the past six years.
‘‘I wasn’t going to let them starve to death.’’
Max Wilde, Auckland Council’s compliance response team manager, estimated it received two or three complaints about rooster noise each week.
Anecdotally, the compliance team had noticed more chickens across the city, he said.