FIVE stricken chickens were found "dumped" at the side of a busy dual carriageway earlier this week.
The chickens - three cockerels and two hens - were only discovered by chance and looked "lethargic, dull and depressed".
They had been left in an "emergency stopping only" layby on Airevalley Road (A650), heading towards Bingley from Crossflatts roundabout, on Tuesday.
A RSPCA rescuer, Inspector Taylor, was the person who spotted the chickens in a precarious position and acted on instinct.
She had been on her way to another job, but had to save the feathered friends.
She said: “In my job I’m always ready for the unexpected but it was still a bit of a surprise to see these chickens roaming loose in the lay-by.