A man was found guilty of fowl play for scaring more than 100 chickens to death with firecrackers he set off during a birthday celebration, media reported Tuesday.

The Anxiang County People's Court found the man, surnamed Liu, had indeed so frightened the 130 chickens living in the hennery next to his home with the fireworks that they died as a result.

A 7,000 yuan ($1,129) settlement was eventually reached, since the owner, surnamed Li, could not provide the court an official report from the local animal authorities ruling out the possibility that the chickens had a pre-existing illness.

Li had filed a suit for 15,000 yuan ($2,419.5) in damages claiming the explosions caused the roosting birds to panic.

About 130 chickens were found dead on the spot and many others injured, Li told the court.

Police were called when the two could not come to a solution.

Liu said he set off the firecrackers on a levee located 50 meters away from Li's farm. He said he wanted to "liven up a party for his elderly mother's birthday," read the report.

Xiaoxiang Morning Herald