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Noisy cockerel gets 'bird ASBO' because his early morning calls wound up owners' neighbours

Husband and wife Philip and Caroline Sutcliffe received orders to silence their cockerel after neighbours in Eyam, Derbyshire, complainted about his morning wake up calls

Willy the noisy cockerel has been given a ‘bird ASBO’ - after his early morning crowing drew complaints from his owners’ neighbors.

Husband and wife Philip and Caroline Sutcliffe received orders to silence their cockerel after neighbours in Eyam, Derbyshire, complained about his morning wake up calls.

The noisy bird lives on the couple's idyllic village farm with his chicken friends, but left his owners served with a noise abatement notice when one neighbour took action against his unmissable call.

The couple have been told they either stop the bird crowing before 8am, or get rid of him by October 19.

Mr and Mrs Sutcliffe claim they have tried everything to pinch the crow's cries in the early hours, including keeping him in the dark and in a small space, but to no avail.

Willy now faces being put down or rehomed if the neighborly issue isn’t resolved by the deadline.

Retired engineer Philip, 80, said: ‘It just seems a bit ridiculous that someone would complain about the sound of a cockerel crowing in a rural village.'

Owners Phillip and Caroline Sutcliffe of Eyam in the Peak District. (SWNS)
Owners Phillip and Caroline Sutcliffe of Eyam in the Peak District. (SWNS)


Willy could face being put down if the issue isn't resolved. (SWNS)
Willy could face being put down if the issue isn't resolved. (SWNS)


'Short of chopping his head off I don’t know how I can stop him from crowing,' Philip added.

The couple added they approached neighbours about their poultry upon moving to the village three years ago but no issues were raised.

The couple have now been forced to look for a new home for the ASBO-bird saying they won't put him down.

'I won’t kill him, even if they prosecute me,' he said.

'It beggars belief that people draw up these rules in London and I don’t think they’ve ever been to the countryside at all.'

Mr Sutcliffe said: 'What we had is a noise abatement notice by the council, then a final warning notice telling us to get rid of the cockerel.

Willy's owners have tried numerous unsuccessful methods for keeping him quiet. (SWNS)
Willy's owners have tried numerous unsuccessful methods for keeping him quiet. (SWNS)


'My main issue is that you only need one person to make a complaint and suddenly you have to get rid of your bird. The whole thing has been blown way out of proportion.

'There was no mention of any decibal readings on any letter, it just said there's an issue with a cockerel crowing.'

Other neighbors of Mr Sutcliffe who’ve heard of the council order have since set up a petition to save the noisy bird.

Mr Sutcliffe said: 'My wife has kept poultry for years. The problem is that if people have to put their poultry down everytime someone makes a complaint they'll become a dying breed.

Funny animals playlist
Funny animals playlist


'Besides the noise they are great pets. They do start crowing every morning as soon as daylight breaks.

'Even if I shut him in the dark cockerels, like us, have body clocks and know when to start crowing.

'We've not been able to stop him but we have been able to reduce the noise.

'They are creatures and it wouldn't be humane to have him put down over something like this, so we're just going to have to find Willie a new home.'

A spokesman for Derbyshire Dales Council said: 'It’s not appropriate for the district council to comment on the specifics of an on-going case, but it’s worth noting that the serving of a noise abatement notice allows for a variety of remedies to take place, including the relocation of the noise source.