Trevor Cushion of Holly Farm, Illston on the Hill, Leicestershire was fined £2,800 and ordered to pay costs of £1,589.86 for failing to ensure the welfare needs of his birds and to properly dispose of poultry carcases, according to Information on Loughborough.

Trading standards officers visited Cushion’s farm in June 2011 following information received from the RSPCA.

Seventeen birds were found in poor condition and there were 22 carcases lying around the farm, some of which had been dumped in cardboard boxes.

An expert from the Animal Health and Veterinary Laboratories Agency was brought in to give a veterinary assessment of the birds.

David Bull, Head of Leicestershire County Council Trading Standards, said: We are committed to ensuring that farmed animal welfare standards are maintained and minimum statutory standards are complied with.

"The law is also in place to control the spread of disease to other animals and to protect the human food chain.

"If anyone is alleged to be flouting the law and compromising these safeguards we will investigate and, if needs be, bring the matter before the courts.”