Planters Garden Centre near Tamworth has defended itself on Facebook after revealed its plans to hatch chicks in time for Easter.

A posting on Planters Facebook page last Wednesday saiud they were putting eggs into incubators so that they would hatch in three weeks time, ready for the Easter period.

The post repidly and attracted negative comments from concerned locals and animal lovers, mainly expressing concern around what would happen to the chicks, particularly cockerels, once Easter was over.

One protest read: “This is utterly irresponsible of you to use living creatures as an extra seasonal gimmick to entice more customers to your business establishment! No thought or care to what happens to them once they’ve served their purpose and kids are back at school. Shame on you!”

Another said: “Do you breed puppies just in time for Christmas too?”

Planters later issued a statement defending its post “Dear fellow animal lovers who have shown concern about the welfare of our Easter chicks.

“We thank you all for your concern. Here at Planters, we are a family run business, who care very much about the welfare of all the animals we have in store.

“In fact, the eggs being hatched this year are the eggs laid by last year’s Easter chicks.

“After our chicks have hatched, they are kept under a heat lamp with everything they need during the Easter period, where no one handles them. Looked after by staff who know exactly what to do.

“After Easter, the chicks return to join our personal collection of chickens in a free range environment. Fed on grass, wheat and chicken mix. We’ve been hatching eggs and delighting thousands of children for over 20 years.

“Thank you again for the concern but please be assured, the chicks are well looked after during and after their time at Planters.

“We would kindly ask that you allow us to share all the facts before writing hateful comments. We love that you think about the animals but please think about our staff as well.”