A MAN who admitted he knew nothing about looking after chickens has been banned from keeping poultry for ten years after admitting causing 48 birds unnecessary suffering.

South Devon Magistrates in Torquay, on Friday, also ordered John Baker, aged 47, of Totnes Road, Paignton, who was formerly of Oakland Road, Newton Abbot, to pay £1,000 towards the £2,286 costs incurred by the RSPCA – investigation £1,266, legal £780 and vet's fee £240.

At a previous hearing Baker had pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to 48 chickens at a barn and smallholding at Bickley Mill, near Stoneycombe, Kingskerswell, between December 3 and 24.

He had also admitted failing to take steps to ensure that the birds' needs were met as required by good practice by failing to provide a suitable environment.

John Wyatt, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said that during 2010 Baker acquired about 150 chickens thinking it was a simple way of making money by selling the eggs, but he did not know how to keep them and did not seek advice.

He had housed them in a barn which was storing machinery, but a cold, damp winter caused problems.

'They started to die and he decided to move the chickens to a smallholding and the birds began to die in that location as well.

'The RSPCA started its investigations on December 23, when it was very cold. An inspector found only carcasses of chickens in the barn and in the smallholding there were some live chickens and numerous dead birds,' said Mr Wyatt who said that of the 150 chickens only 40 were alive and they were re-housed by the RSPCA.

When interviewed Baker immediately put his hands up and admitted 'he had got it completely wrong'.

A vet found the birds were not being given an adequate diet and water had been frozen over.

Mr Wyatt said it was a commercial enterprise that went wrong. 'He clearly had no idea what he was doing and accepts this. He does have a dog and the society has no problem with him keeping that, but not keeping poultry,' he said.

The court heard that Baker was disabled from an industrial accident, and had no literary skills. During the cold weather his wife, from whom he was now separated, had the car and he had cycled, walked and on occasions could not get to the smallholding.

Baker said he had had lots of problems and he would never have poultry again.

'I am sorry how it went. Anyone who wants to keep chickens should get out and get advice first,' he said.

After the case RSPCA Inspector Jim Farr said he was generally satisfied with the result because it sent out a clear message to those who kept animals that they had a responsibility to meet their basic needs and that it was not part-time caring. If they didn't look after animals properly they could expect to face the consequences.