![]() Ms Kwok explained that NParks takes a “science-based approach” towards the management of animals, including free-roaming chickens. Having lived in the estate for about 30 years, she said she had “no issues” with the chickens. "They will only make noise at certain times (of the day), otherwise it is okay," said another resident who only wanted to be known as Mrs Lee. "In fact, we will miss them if they are gone." ![]() "We don't find them a nuisance," said housewife Eline Peh, who moved into the area late last year. ![]() When CNA visited the estate on Thursday (Oct 27) evening, the occasional sound of roosters crowing was audible and the birds could be easily spotted, mostly in grass patches across the estate. Mr Goh estimated the current total to stand at about 50. Twenty roosters were relocated to farms or willing hosts in August and September. While there were about 99 chickens in the estate in December 2021, a census of the chickens in May this year put the numbers at about 66. One of the main issues that some have with the birds is noise, said Mr Goh Sim Cik, who is the task force's chairman. Since then, a task force has been set up to deal with the chicken population at Sin Ming. AVA later clarified that it was not because of complaints of noise, but the risk of exposure to bird flu that prompted them to cull the chickens in areas where there are “relatively high numbers” of them. There were about 20 complaints from residents there, mainly about noise. The issue of wild chickens came to the fore in 2017, when the Agri-Food and Veterinary Authority of Singapore (AVA) revealed that it put down 24 chickens that were wandering around Thomson View and Blocks 452 to 454 Sin Ming Avenue. There were nine reports in 2019 as compared to 18 reports last year and 14 reports in 2022 so far, she said.įeedback came from locations “more or less” all over Singapore, such as Marine Parade, Pasir Ris, and Ang Mo Kio, said Ms Anbarasi. Since 2020, the National Parks Board (NParks) has received more than 1,000 reports annually about free-ranging chickens, said Ms Jessica Kwok, group director of NParks’ Animal and Veterinary Service (AVS).Īnimal Concerns Research and Education Society's (ACRES) co-chief executive Anbarasi Boopal told CNA that the animal welfare group has seen an increase in feedback related to the chickens. ![]() Sometimes I would think that there are no chickens in my estate, maybe I wouldn't feel that big of an attachment to them.”īut chickens are not unique to Sin Ming. In recent times, there have been reports of sightings of the birds all across various housing estates in Singapore. “(They were) definitely a big part (of my childhood). I remember very fondly when I was very young there were already chickens,” he recalled. The chickens are a common sight in Mr Chong’s estate and have been for years. “If I alight from the bus after a day's work and I don't see my chickens or if I don't hear the crowing, then I'll be more worried,” Mr Chong told CNA. Instead, they are usually camped by the side of the main road – colourful, feathered, and sometimes crowing. SINGAPORE: When he returns home from work in the evenings, filmmaker Jun Chong keeps a keen eye out for some of his “neighbours”.īut he doesn’t run into them along the corridor of his Sin Ming Housing Board (HDB) flat.
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