ORLANDO, Fla. -- An overwhelming odor coming from nearly 50 chickens living inside an Orlando home may have been used to mask the smell of drugs in the home, according to officers investigating the discovery.

A power company worker on Ridge Terrace off Beggs Road in the Lockhart area of Orlando was performing some routine maintenance work when he noticed a strong stench and called police.

When officers investigated they found the home filled with chickens.

"It was a drug house before this and now they've turned it into a chicken coop," neighbor Marty Farris said.

"It was a real strong stench," an officer on the scene said. "Once you come within 50 feet of the house, you can smell it."

Police said the home was once used to grow marijuana plants.

"(It was) a known drug house growing a plant that has a distinctive smell," Local 6's Kimberly Houk said. "Some officers believe bringing in a large number of chickens may have been one way to mask the smell of drugs."

The current homeowner, Honorio Perez, faces a fine of nearly $12,000 for having so many chickens in his home.

Orlando police are talking with Perez to find out why he had so many chickens living inside his home.

The birds were transported out of the house to be nursed back to health, Houk said.

Watch Local 6 News for more on this story.