Police are appealing for information after a spate of poultry thefts over recent weeks.
Officers are investigating a number of similar incidents in which chickens and ducks have been reported stolen from smallholdings in Priston, Englishcombe, Radstock, Limpley Stoke and Marksbury.
Sgt Geoff Cannon of Radstock police station said: "We advise all poultry owners to be on their guard and vigilant about reporting suspicious activity near their properties, particularly at night."
Sgt Cannon said police are investigating the possibility that the incidents are linked, with the poultry rustlers targeting specific breeds and stealing to order.
At Writhlington, Russell Zisa- Davies had eight of his rare breed Jersey giant chickens stolen in just one night.
Mr Zisa-Davies has been keeping chickens in a field off Church Lane in the village for a number of years and after previously experiencing problems with wild animals had installed a 6ft fence to keep his birds safe.
Two weeks ago he found that thieves had climbed the fence and had not only taken a number of his birds but a feeder as well.
He said: "I think whoever took the chickens knew what they were looking for because they have been selective about breed and have only left behind the more common hens and cockerels."
A spokeswoman for the Poultry Club of Great Britain said: "It is quite likely that these chickens and ducks have been stolen to order.
"Unfortunately this is nothing new and has been something we have seen happen across the country for a number of years.
"It is quite sad as in many cases as it can take a lifetime of work breeding chickens, especially pure rare breeds like the Jersey giants. We advise that people keep them securely locked away at night."
Anyone with information about the thefts should call police on the non-emergency number 101.
