FED-UP families have had to barricade gardens after their estate was over-run by more than 200 wild chickens.

Vast flocks of the birds have taken control of the cul-de-sac — leaving one postman too scared to make deliveries.

Their droppings have made the park a no-go zone for kids, residents are being woken at 4am by crowing and local drivers fear they will cause crashes.

Retired clerk Carol Morris, 71, said: “The chickens are always crossing the road. They’re everywhere, it’s crazy.”

Residents of the Ashbrook Meadows estate in Diss, Norfolk, believe the flock was created after a rooster and hen were abandoned by their owners earlier this year.

They estimate up to ten chicks are being born each week — forcing home owners to block entry to gardens to stop hens invading.

Resident Gwendoline Synclair, 72, said: “Parents are worried because there is poo everywhere which kids could pick up.”

The RSPCA said it could not cull the “happy and healthy” hens, and South Norfolk Council said it had no authority to act as they are wild.

Both were working with animals charities to rehome the flock.