Cockerels are the essence of country life, proudly strutting among their harem of hens and crowing loudly at dawn.

But the specialist care they need - and their feisty nature - often leads to them being abandoned.

Now, on National Poultry Day, the Scottish SPCA is desperately looking for people to give forever homes to 24 cockerels in its care.

It includes four - Louie, Dewey, Ace and Huey - at their centre in Milton, Dumbarton.

Scotland’s animal welfare charity says it often cares for cockerels for years before they find their new families, and new birds arrive in their care every month.

While Louie, Dewey and Huey have been in care for 43 days and Ace for 29, the charity's longest cockerel residents - Hans, Christian and Anderson - have been in its centre in Edinburgh for 285 days.

Scottish SPCA rescue and rehoming centre superintendent Sharon Comrie said: “Sadly we don't receive many enquiries about our cockerels.

“These birds require homes with specialist knowledge of their needs and plenty of space for them to roam around, hopefully with some female feathered friends.

“Whilst keeping poultry can be an enjoyable experience, it is regretful that cockerels are increasingly being kept in urban, domestic settings by inexperienced owners who have not considered the care and commitment these birds need.

“Cockerels can be extremely aggressive and will often attack or even kill other males and hens, especially when they are kept in unsuitable environments.

“Sadly, this has led to a rise in the number of abandoned and unwanted cockerels coming into our care.

“Cockerels are not domestic pets and should only ever be kept as livestock by experienced owners.

“Anyone looking to take on a cockerel needs to be knowledgeable and have the time and commitment to ensure they receive the specialist care and attention they need to be happy and healthy.”

If you are interesting in rehoming a cockerel, or any other animal, you can contact the Scottish SPCA on 03000 999 999 or visit www.scottishspca.org/rehome