Owners of cockfighting roosters have been scheduled for a pretrial hearing Aug. 9 and a trial Aug. 20 at Sevier County Courthouse in De Queen, Ark.
Meanwhile, more than 100 roosters remain in the sheriff's department's custody in the care of jail trusties.
About 197 chickens were confiscated March 17, and an estimated 100 people were arrested, including rooster owners and spectators.
Sheriff Robert Gentry said his office has tried to return the roosters to their owners, but only about 60 of them were taken.
"We offered to return the chickens to the owners, but the majority didn't want the chickens back," he said.
During the recent heat streak, Gentry said five of the roosters died, and about 117 remain.
"We're waiting on the court to determine what they will do with the roosters and owners," Gentry said.
The sheriff's office will offer a property release form for the owners of the roosters still in custody at the jail.
"I assume the owners wouldn't want to claim the roosters," he said.
The birds are fed and watered by the jail trusties.
"We haven't had anyone hurt by the birds," Gentry said, and only one rooster has tried to escape but was caught.
He said after the initial arrests of the birds and owners, volunteers donated feed.
"The donations have dried up. We're having to buy chicken feed. We will get the total feed cost and see what the court wants," he said.
Gentry directed the 18-month cockfighting investigation, which was difficult with the cockfights moving every weekend, he said.