A FURNESS animal rescue is seeking homes for three cockerels who were dumped in a field.

An apparent surge in cockerels being abandoned across the UK is believed to have been caused by people who decided to raise chicks during lockdown, as well as irresponsible breeders hoping for hens to produce eggs.

Bardsea Bird Sanctuary, which is run by Tamsin Ashleigh and her mother Elisabeth Ashleigh, have taken in three birds who were abandoned in Bardsea during cold weather.

Elisabeth said: "They were just dumped on a very cold, wet and windy night. It was awful.

"I think during lockdown people got bored and got a few chickens but I think these particular ones may have come from a breeder.

"They were dumped down a lane in a horse field just scratching around the compost in the horrible cold.

"We had to put on some bramble gloves and cut down a load of bramble to extract them."

The three cockerels, named Hugo, Cecil and Jim, are available for rehoming. They are being temporarily housed in an aviary intended for future baby gulls in need of help from the sanctuary.

Elisabeth said: "They are lovely boys. They all wander around together in a little gang."

A number of bird and animal rescuers across Cumbria are giving temporary shelter to abandoned birds.

"We don't generally take in domestic birds, but since so many have been dumped our volunteers have been compelled to give them temporary shelter until good homes can be found," added Elisabeth.

"If you've a few hens who need some male company I'm sure they'll fall in love with one of these handsome gentlemen."

To adopt a bird contact Bardsea Bird Sanctuary at: www.facebook.com/BardseaBird