This might be the most bizarre wildlife story you've heard in Singapore as of late.

A family of four was reported to have driven to a private estate in Sembawang to catch the free-range chickens there, Chinese evening paper Shin Min Daily News reported on June 9.

Family drove to Sembawang to catch free-range chickens

The residents living at Thong Bee Road told Shin Min that some free-range chickens have appeared in the area in recent years.

They have been feeding the chickens and lived harmoniously with them.

However, they realised that some chickens had gone missing since June 5.

Members of the public saw one young couple, in their 30s, drove to the estate with two young children to catch the chickens.

Mostly targeted the hens

A coffee shop employee, 50, told the reporter that he saw the family come in the morning at around 8am last week, chasing after the chicken with a fishing net.

"The two adults, each holding a fishing net. I wanted to use my phone to take photo but it was too late," he said.

The coffee shop employee also observed that the family targeted the hens mostly.

As a result, there are only the roosters and some chicks left in the area now.

A resident told the reporter that they did not look like they were sent by the authorities and they have abducted close to 20 chickens in three days.

Given the number of chickens that they took away, she does not think that they will be kept as pets.

This resident also pointed out that most of the residents are used to hearing the calls of the rooster in the morning.

Another resident shared that there might be hygiene concerns when there are too many of them.

Currently, there are about 20 chickens left.

Top photo from Shin Min Daily News