© Chicken Roundabout Inc.
Design by Peabrain
History.
Chicken Roundabout has a fascinating history. The bypass was laid overtop of the old Waveney Valley Railway line and the site of the roundabout was originally the Norwich Road railway crossing, complete with a gate keepers cottage, crossing gates and signals.
Across the road to the cottage were the village allotments and further along the road stood some cottages and a public house ‘The Anchor’. The Duke of York still sits slightly further along the Norwich Road.
Chickens were kept at many of these neighbouring properties including the gatekeepers cottage and the present colony almost certainly originated from escapees from one of them, or possibly from the allotments. Sadly the railway was closed in 1965, however I can remember there being chickens in
Across the road to the cottage were the village allotments and further along the road stood some cottages and a public house ‘The Anchor’. The Duke of York still sits slightly further along the Norwich Road.
Chickens were kept at many of these neighbouring properties including the gatekeepers cottage and the present colony almost certainly originated from escapees from one of them, or possibly from the allotments. Sadly the railway was closed in 1965, however I can remember there being chickens in
the years after this in the bushes opposite the maltings.
In 1982 the gatekeeper’s cottage was demolished, along with Ditchingham Railway station to make way for the new bypass which was completed on 9/11/1983. I am sure that for a long time the chickens survived by scavaging spilt grain from the
In 1982 the gatekeeper’s cottage was demolished, along with Ditchingham Railway station to make way for the new bypass which was completed on 9/11/1983. I am sure that for a long time the chickens survived by scavaging spilt grain from the
adjacent maltings. Unfortunately this burnt down in 1999. From then on they have been sustained by the kind help of our local hero ‘The Chicken Man’ who makes a round trip of two miles with his wheelbarrow most days, and in all weathers just to feed and water them.
Click on the arrows to view the pictures.
Click on the arrows to view the pictures.