Holy Rosary principal Amanda Smith said the children were in tears after hearing the news.

"Our students are clearly devastated this morning at the news of this senseless act and are trying to make sense of it with their teachers," Ms Smith said.

"They spent a lot of time both caring for them and playing with them during lunchtime and recess so it's going to leave a huge hole in our community."

Ms Smith said the chickens were rehabilitated after being rescued for the battery farm and the children entered them in local chicken shows.

Police are reviewing CCTV footage from businesses in the local area.