Thieves have raided two small farms in Shropshire and made off with 11 chickens, an electric fence and even rugs from the back of horses.

The landowners in Ryton and Beckbury, near Shifnal, have been left thousands of pounds out of pocket after suffering three thefts in just three weeks.

One of the victims, John Lamb, 66, from Beckbury, said the thieves also stole a chicken coop, horse food, solar lights, eight 4×4 tyres and several pieces of equestrian equipment.

“The buildings are quite secure and it would have required someone of a very small stature, but very strong, to get in and move around,” he said.

“They took some rubber mats and they can weight up to 100lbs. They also took the electric fence and that alone is about £180 and the battery is another £80.

“All of the stuff taken is essential for what we do and they know that. They know we will have to replace it and I am sure they are thinking they can come back and just have it for free again.

“On all occasions they got in by cutting a stock fence and barbed wire and even removed a beech tree.”

Mr Lamb said as well as the monetary cost, the thieves have taken away their beloved animals.

“My wife Victoria has become quite attached to the chickens. You get attached to these animals and then someone decides they can have them for free.

“Someone out there is enjoying free range eggs and it’s not us.

“A lot of the things they stole were equestrian tools. No one, even a keen gardener, would have any use for them other than for looking after horses.

“They knew what they were coming for.

“They don’t come at 2am like you would expect, they would come at about 9pm in the evening which means no one is suspicious of a white van pulled up, they could be just making a phone call.

“Most of the items have our postcode on them and we have used the Smart Water technology so I hope some of can be returned to us.”

Anyone with information is asked to call police in Shifnal on 0300 3333000.

By Jason Lavan