A Philadelphia high school closed for cleaning after 85 live chickens turned up inside the school on Monday morning.

Video Report

Northeast High School students waited in the school's gym before the early dismissal, most likely caused by a senior prank, according to officials.

Workers arriving at the school at about 5:30 a.m. found dozens of chickens running around inside.

When students walked into the high school Monday morning, some of them said they had no clue what they were about to find.

"I actually did see a chicken, I did, in the basement. It was running and the security guard was chasing it," senior Satoria Bell said.

The floors were covered with chicken feed and chicken waste. Officials called in a farmer to help round up and remove the birds.

Some witnesses said the chickens were laying eggs all over the building but most students said they didn't see anything.

"I didn't see any chickens," one student said.

No one was immediately arrested. School district officials and Philadelphia police are reviewing surveillance tape to try to figure out who pulled off the chicken caper.

Authorities said special-needs students and staff will report to Wilson Middle School for the rest of the day.

The school is located on the 1600 block of Cottman Avenue.