A FARMER has pleaded “please look after my hens” after they were stolen from their coop overnight.

A total of four hens were mysteriously snatched from their pen at Turningshaw Farm in Turningshaw Road, Houston.

Lynn Thomson, 51, was perplexed when she woke up to find the coop untied and the farm birds had disappeared.

She said: “Initially I thought it might have been foxes that had got in or maybe the string holding the door closed had snapped.

“But the string had clearly been untied, the lid had been pulled off and there were clearly footprints.

“The thief then took them from the nesting box and made off with them.

“Nothing like this has ever happened on the farm before.”

The hens were bought last June when they were at the point of lay for £17 each, making the total loss at around £68.

Three of the stolen farm birds are Isa Brown hens, one with completely brown feathers and two with black tails.

The other bird taken was a Copper Maran hen.

Lynn said: “I had them next to the stables, it was just nice having them there. I got them to have in the back garden so we could have fresh eggs in the morning.

“They were really just part of the family.

“I haven’t got a clue who stole them, I was gobsmacked when I went outside and realised someone had taken my four hens.

“People steal things from farms all the time but I never thought I’d get my hens pinched – nothing is safe now.”

Officers confirmed that four hens were taken overnight on April 16 with a value at £68.

A police spokeswoman said: “As there is no CCTV in that area, we are reliant on members of the public to come forward with any further information.

“It is an unusual crime but we have had cows and a beehive stolen in the past.

“If anyone has any further information, they should contact us on 101.”