A GRANDMOTHER has branded a thief who stole 28 chicks from her hen house as an ‘evil and sad person’.

Christine Solly was shocked to discover that the fluffy chicks she and her husband had hatched out and reared had been taken from their back garden in broad daylight by an opportunist thief.

Crossways resident Mrs Solly, 51, had just removed the baby birds from an incubator and put them outside.

She said: “I think the person who did this is a low-life.

“It’s an evil and sad person who did this.”

Mrs Solly estimates that the missing chicks are worth between £400 and £500.

They are a variety of pure-breeds, including Chocolate Orpingtons, White Sussexes and Welsummers.

Just four chicks remain now, which were inside Mrs Solly’s house at the time of the theft.

Dorset Police say the thief entered through a bolted gate in the back garden.

Full-time carer Mrs Solly said: “Just after it happened the dogs were going berserk.

“To take the chicks away like that was very cruel.

“We just started off keeping chicks because the grandchildren were interested in them.

“It then went on to become a hobby and we became quite attached to them.

“We reared them and helped take them out of the shell when they were born.

“Now we just want them back.”

The theft comes as another blow for Mrs Solly’s husband Gavin.

Mr Solly featured in the Echo in November last year after his weight loss operation was cancelled due to concerns for his health.

He has gone down in size from 32-stone to 29-stone, but needs repair work on his teeth before the operation can go ahead.

Mr Solly, who is housebound, makes incubators for the chicks.

“It’s a real hobby for him and it’s something he enjoys doing,” Mrs Solly said.

Dorset police are appealing for information about the theft.

Inspector Les Fry, of Dorchester Police, said: “A report of theft has been made to police and we’d like anyone with information to come forward.”

Call Police on 01305 222222 and ask for PC Charlie Dale.