“Soul destroying” is how owners have described the slaughter of about 45 of their birds and poultry.

Derek and Chris Barnes were devastated to learn that many of their animals they keep on a small-holding in Brampton had been shot with an air rifle over the bank holiday weekend.

The father and son have worked for three years to build up The Wild Patch, next to Tarn Road Nurseries, where a mound of stones now lie as a mark of respect to the birds buried beneath them.

Derek, 58, explained that about 90 per cent of their ducks had been wiped out in the attack and estimates that in total there could have been about 45 ducks, chickens, geese and pigeons killed.

“I never counted. I was so upset. Some of these birds have been with us since we started,” he said. “It’s just soul destroying.”

The discovery was made by a member of staff from Tarn Road Nurseries who noticed a lot of crows flying around the patch and initially thought there had been a fox attack.

Derek, an ex-serviceman who now works part-time for Go Outdoors, said: “It wasn’t. They’d shot the birds so close the rounds had gone straight through them. It’s horrible.

“The worst thing was digging the holes and burying something you’ve named and associated with for three years.”

The family, who live at Hornsby, near Brampton, have been left shocked that something like this could happen in the town but are adamant they will not be beaten. They’re determined to rebuild what they had.

Chris, 28, said: “We’re picking up and rebuilding really. It wouldn’t be fair on what’s left [to close] and it will make me stronger.”

Derek added: “It’s ruined us but we’re determined to carry on.”

He said it’s been a good three years and the patch has gone from strength to strength with the birds

developing a good nature towards people.

They set up the small-holding to enable people to share the experience of seeing animals in a natural environment and to pass it on to the next generation. They also keep bees and rabbits.

Both Chris and Derek, who pay for the upkeep of The Wild Patch themselves, have jobs elsewhere but spend many evenings and weekends there.

They work closely with staff at the garden centre who help with school groups on their visits. During the floods they became a refuge, taking in more than 200 livestock for flood victims who had nowhere for their animals to go.

This was the first time they’ve experienced anything of this nature, although they’ve had the odd break-in and fox attacks.

“This has got to me,” said Derek. “We did everything to help the community and somebody in that community has tried to destroyed us.”

The birds and poultry had sheds which they go in during the night. Derek thinks the attack must have happened on Sunday between 4am and 10am. Among the birds left are about eight chickens, 10 ducks and four geese as well as a flock of pigeons.

All their incubators are full and Chris and Derek are appealing to anyone who has spare stock or needs a new home for their poultry to get in touch.

They are also urging people with information about the attack to get in touch with police.

A spokesman for Cumbria police confirmed: “Police are investigating an incident where a number of geese, chickens and ducks were shot with an air rifle at Tarn Road Nurseries, Brampton.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact PC 2006 Rowland on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.