Fowl play as chook snatcher breaks into school's coop

The feathers are flying at Fawkner in Melbourne's north after a thief stole two chickens from a schoolyard chicken coop.

The chook snatcher snuck into the grounds of St Mark's Parish Primary School twice on September 29, at 1am and 6am. 

His targets were Fluffy the silky bantam and Nugget the australorp.

"It was animal cruelty because they were breaking into the property and damaged the lock," one student told 9NEWS.

Another student asked for the thief to return the stolen fowl.

"They're not your chickens, they're ours and you didn't ask to take them."

The theft of Nugget and Fluffy has left just two chooks for students to care for.

The aim of the coop was to teach children the responsibility of pet ownership, with any eggs laid used to help feed the needy.

"We pray for our beloved pets and we pray for their safe return, also we feel that the person we'd certainly forgive him for what he's done," Principal Peter Wilson said.

Local Constable James West said the theft had a "significant impact" on the students.

The school has added an extra padlock to prevent the remaining chooks from flying the coop.