A group of animal rights protesters have allegedly injured and killed several hens in an illegal break-in at a chicken farm south-west of Sydney.

Just before midday, a large group of protesters allegedly forced entry to a farm shed on Mowbray Road at Lakesland, near Camden, and threatened the owner with bolt cutters.

As the group burst into the shed the commotion scared the animals who crushed each other, with several suffocating.

The group ignored directions from RSPCA inspectors, who were inspecting the property at the time, to leave and tried to place the chickens in cages.

Several suffered broken wings in the attempt to save them.

Police arrived as the protesters were attempting to flee and stopped a Toyota Hilux full of chicken cages nearby.

13 people – eight women, four men and a 17-year-old girl­ – have been arrested and charged with:

– Enter prescribed premises without lawful excuse;

– Commit an act of cruelty upon an animal;

– Malicious damage;

– Steal or kill with intent to steal domestic animal or bird; and

– Enter inclosed lands/interfere conduct of business.

One of the men, aged 46, has also been charged with assaulting police, common assault and use offensive weapon with intent to commit indictable offence.

All have been bailed to face court in August.

The group has been posting ‘call to action’ videos on social media for several days and has continued to do so since the illegal demonstration.