Primary school students distraught after pet chickens slaughtered in Adelaide

Primary school students have been left shocked and distressed after arriving at school to learn their pet chickens were slaughtered in Adelaide.

Staff arrived at Ingle Farm Primary school Wednesday morning to find three of the school's four chickens had been killed overnight.

Principal Vanessa Mortimer said the deaths were harrowing in a notice to parents posted on the school's Facebook page.

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"With a heavy heart, I advise that many students today have been affected by an overnight incident on our school grounds resulting in vandalism to our chicken coop.

"Only one of our chickens is still alive.

"Staff have worked respectfully with students during the day to unpack feelings of shock, sadness, anger and general distress," the statement read.

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Ms Mortimer said support services were in place for students and the school was working with police.

"Please be assured that as a school staff team we have taken every step to address this incident with SAPOL and relevant services."

Police are urging anyone with information on the incident is asked to please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.