Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Two men who slaughtered 32 birds at a Temuka aviary have been jailed.

Simiona John and Jonathan Fleming, both in their 20s, admitted breaking into the aviary, ill-treating and killing exotic birds on 4 August this year.

Judge Raoul Neave described the offending as "sickening in the extreme" when the pair appeared in Timaru District Court on Wednesday.

The judge told the court John and Fleming's disgusting acts had revolted and horrified the community and the fact the pair were grossly drunk was not a mitigating factor.

He sentenced both to 12 months' imprisonment and ordered them to each pay $935 in reparation.

A third man facing similar charges is still before the courts.