Villagers spit feathers at a flock of around 100 wild chickens that are ransacking their gardens and tormenting their sleep.
Residents of Snettisham, Norfolk, say the birds have made their lives “hell”, digging up gardens, attracting rats and singing all night.
Residents say their numbers have increased significantly in recent months and suspect irresponsible owners of dumping more waste at the edge of the woods.
And they say those who travel to watch the birds from outside the area throw food at them, which attracts the rats.
This has led to growing tensions between residents and those who visit the birds, with insults being hurled at those who feed them.
Villagers have now raised the issue with their parish council, who are threatening to remove the birds nesting next to Common Lane.
In the photo: one of the loudest roosters living among the flock
Pictured: A group of chickens feeding along Common Lane in Snettisham
Rod Mackenzie, a parish councilor who lives on the road, said: “They are a pain. If they come into your garden, they dig up everything.
“It’s not just about food for the chickens, but also any rubbish they can find that brings in the rats.
“What did someone leave the other week?” A liter of pink shrimp. The rats are pretty big around here and they breed like hell.
Company director Ben King, 48, who also lives in the lane where the birds nest, said he had to wear earplugs to sleep at night because of their constant singing.
He said: “They’re out of control now, it’s not just one or two. They have started coming into the gardens and there are also rats.
Pictured: Two of the roosters living at Snettisham who were rustling residents’ feathers
“If someone came to move them, I would buy them a big beer.
Another frustrated resident, who wished to remain anonymous, added: “I think it’s a real pest. It doesn’t help that people come to feed them.
“I wouldn’t want to buy one of those houses.”
But others defend the herd, saying the animals add to the village’s rural charm.
Graeme McQuade, 43, who has been living on the streets for 18 months after moving from Cambridge, said: “I have no problem with chickens.
“Before we moved here, we didn’t know that the chickens got up at 4 a.m., but it gives the place character.
A dog walker, who did not wish to be named, added: “There is a lady from Heacham who comes to feed them and she has been abused.
Residents of Common Lane complained that the herds were destroying their gardens and keeping them awake at night.
“People in the new houses complain about them, but they’ve been here so long and there are more important things going on in the world than a few chickens. They should have a life.
“Two of them have been in my garden since they were babies and they don’t bother me.”
Issues surrounding the unruly herd were raised at the latest Snettisham Parish Council meeting.
The report said: “Members of the public were found to be throwing all kinds of chicken feed.
The birds have also been blamed for attracting rats to the village green.
“This causes a rodent problem that potentially poses a health risk.”
Councilors heard there was “uncertainty over ownership of this land and ownership of the chickens”.
And they have now agreed to take specialist advice on birds and consult a chicken rehoming charity to see if it can help.
Authorities also agreed to put up warning signs asking people not to feed the birds.
The minutes further add: “Councillors noted the concerns of local residents in the area regarding people throwing away food waste for chickens.
“This left foul-smelling waste and encouraged rats to come into the area.”
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