NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - Authorities say a suburban Nashville man has surrendered 368 chickens, roosters, quail, rabbits and pigeons he was raising in his backyard and slaughtering for meat.
Metro Animal Care and Control spokeswoman Becca Morris says the yard was less than a quarter-acre. Several animals were dead.
On a tip, authorities visited the site Wednesday and told the owner to keep the animals more humanely. He surrendered them Saturday.
Morris says overcrowded coops prevented appropriate cleaning. Juvenile rabbits were caught in wire crating. Quail and chicken hatchlings were in the garage in a cardboard box.
Morris says Nashville allows six hens on property. He had more than 50. She said he slaughtered almost 40 hens and had roosters, both prohibited.
Morris says the investigation is pending. The department is caring for the animals.
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