The goal is to connect the industry so farmers can help one another to restock when water recedes.

Priority flocks are those bred pure for showing and conservation and Janice Houghton-Wallace of the Poultry Club of Great Britain Welfare Committee said: “Most of the pure breeds of poultry are considered rare, therefore losing precious bloodlines in floods will have a devastating consequence on any breed.”

“The helpline also extends to the commercial sector, as they want to urge everyone connected with poultry to pull together and help those whose livelihoods are threatened.

Anyone who has experienced bird losses during the flooding should contact the helpline via telephone or email. Help with hatching eggs, youngstock and equipment replacement should be coordinated through the helpline also.

Contact: Janice Houghton-Wallace, Poultry Club of Great Britain Welfare Committee. Tel: 01988 600763 Mob: 07860 547094 Email: [email protected]