Rare chooks to be destroyed off SA A FLOCK of 4000 rare imported chickens is to be destroyed, after another three birds tested positive to salmonella. The chickens were being held in quarantine at Torrens Island, near Adelaide, after one chick was found to be infected with salmonella. A national syndicate spent 10 years and around $500,000 importing 45 breeds from the United Kingdom to "replenish the local gene pool." The Australian Rare Poultry Importation Syndicate says no new non-commercial breeds have arrived in Australia since 1948. The imported eggs hatched in incubators nine weeks ago. Last week the syndicate obtained a Federal Court temporary reprieve on a destruction order issued by the Department of Agriculture after an initial test revealed one chick was infected. But after further tests over the weekend revealed a further three positive salmonella results, the syndicate has agreed to the flock being destroyed. Syndicate member and New South Wales breeder Peter Shands says it is an extremely disappointing end, but the right thing to do. He told ABC radio on Tuesday that the birds will be handed over to the Commonwealth for destruction. The syndicate was uninsured and the result was "punishing for all our members, from Broome around to Cairns," he said. (there's) a lot of disappointment, but I am proud of their choices.