German rail company Deutsche Bahn's (DB's) press team had an unusual tale to relate on Tuesday evening. 

A train driver on the S6 service from Essen noticed to his surprise on reaching the final stop at Cologne-Worringen that three passengers were still loitering in first class. 

The trio of chickens, who had even been provided an ample layer of straw to peck through, had seemingly either been abandoned or (surely not?) forgotten by whoever brought them aboard. 

Police handed the poultry over to animal services, Deutsche Bahn said. 

The train required thorough cleaning and missed its next journey as a result. 

Who transported the chickens on the local train, or how or why they left them behind, is not clear. 

Germany's federal police, responsible for security on public transport, have put out charges against an as of yet unknown suspect for befouling train services. Police said CCTV footage from the train was under review.

Edited by: Roshni Majumdar