The SPCA says it is working with a Canterbury property owner after learning that more than 70 chickens were to be shot if they were not removed from the area.
North Canterbury Chicken Rescue posted on Facebook saying it needed as many volunteers as possible to save them from the "dumping site" in Bromley, Christchurch.
The post says the chickens run the risk of being shot because they had been identified as "pests" by the land's owner.
"Hopefully we can go there as soon as tonight [Tuesday] and make a start. Followed by every night after that until we have got them all.
"Please share this around so we can get things rolling ASAP to prevent them from being shot."
An SPCA spokeswoman confirmed it was working with the owner of the property on the matter but did not comment further.
North Canterbury Chicken Rescue Founder Manda Gill told Stuff in December chicken dumping had been happening in the area for some time.
The volunteer group says it rescues chickens from roadside dumping, and takes unwanted chickens that people no longer want, before rehabilitating and homing them.
It is illegal to dump poultry under New Zealand's Animal Welfare Act.
Newshub.
