Mystery of the missing 'Clucks'

WEST MILTON, Ohio (WDTN) - Three roosters are missing or at least, they're not where they should be.

It's ruffling a lot of feathers and it's breaking a little girl's heart.

A mystery hangs over a hen house in West Milton.

The cast of characters is a funny looking bunch.  They're called Silkie chickens because of their silk-like feathers.

They're bred for pets and show animals and these leading ladies have names plucked right off a Hollywood marquee.

There's Phyllis Diller, named after the famous comedienne, Daryl Henna, instead of Daryl Hannah and the ever-popular Feather Locklear.

"I have 5 pages of names to use in the future and we call the farm Featherly Hills because all the stars are at Featherly Hills," said Bob Seale, owner.

But, no laughing matter, the leading men have gone missing!  Cluck Norris, Cluck Gable and Michael Cluck Duncan are no where to be found.

The top-prize winner roosters disappeared 10 days ago at the Ohio National Poultry Show in Columbus.

Event organizers and Bob are both a bit sheepish in calling it an outright fowl theft.

"Our fondest hope at this moment, the thing we're praying for daily, is that whoever sees this, like I said, took the birds in all innocence, wanting to protect them, worried they were being left behind, or that somebody wasn't going to claim them and they didn't want them left there," said Seale.

No one is praying harder for their safe return than 8-year old Julia Newman.

Cluck Gable is her first show bird and she doesn't just like the animals, "I love them," she said.  "They're fuzzy and friendly and they never get mad."

Bob attends the church Julia's father pastors.  He helped her get Cluck and lets her help around the farm.

Cluck is her best friend and she's heartbroken he's gone.  "I always pray that the person who has them will treat them well and that they will please return them and I keep reminding myself that God says 'do not be afraid or discouraged for the Lord your God is with you where ever you go.'"

Everyone is hoping for a happy ending here at Featherly Farms, that the mystery resolves itself with the safe return of the three Clucks and most importantly, a little girl is reunited with her best friend.

"Please treat them well and please return them because we miss them with all our hearts."