The Curious Backstory of Why There are Feral Chickens in Key West

Key West is known for its sunny beaches, unique culture, amazing food, and famous former resident Ernest Hemingway. It’s also known as the place where feral chickens roam free. Yes, wild chickens have been inhabiting the island paradise for 200 years. Just how did wild chickens end up in Key West? Read on to find out the fascinating history.

A Tourist Attraction

A vacation in Key West with its tropical vibe feels like a Caribbean vacation. There are lots of things to do in Key West including fishing, diving, dining, and visiting historic homes and museums. The Florida Keys are at the southern tip of Florida and only 90 miles north of Cuba. At four miles long and one mile wide, Key West is the last island on Florida’s chain of coral islands.

There are a lot of fun activities in Key West, but one that always excites tourists is spotting the colorful chickens and roosters strutting around town. These chickens are used to the hustle and bustle of city streets, and they don’t shy away from people.

Where Did the Wild Key West Chickens Come From?

Locals call them “gypsy chickens.” Wildlife experts believe the chickens roaming Key West are descended from a fowl native to Cuba known as the red junglefowl. Early settlers to Key West brought chickens to the island in the 1820s. In the beginning, these chickens were raised the usual way as domestic chickens and used for their meat and eggs.

In the 1860s, a large population of settlers arrived from Cuba. These Cuban settlers brought with them their own cultures and traditions, including that of cockfighting. They also brought red junglefowl from Cuba for the fights. In the 1950s, another wave of Cuban immigrants brought even more fowl to the island.

However, in 1986, cockfighting was banned in Florida. Additionally, raising hens for meat and eggs had become a former practice. Today, most residents get their chicken meat and eggs from grocery stores. With egg-laying hens and fighting roosters living freely on the nearly predator-free island, their numbers grew.

Where Are the Best Spots to See the Key West Chickens?

You can see them anywhere you go in Key West. They may be walking down the street or even wandering into a shop. Feral chickens are particularly famous at the restaurant, Blue Heaven where they freely roam the gardens in the al fresco dining spot along with many stray cats.

Do the Key West Chickens Have Any Predators?

The only thing the wild chickens have to worry about, besides watching out for cars, could be an attack from above. Hawks migrate through the island and may snatch one up for a meal. Red-shouldered hawks are commonly seen in the area during their seasonal migration. However, wildlife experts say this hasn’t been enough to make a dent in the Key West chicken population.

It’s Not All Fun and Games to Live With Feral Chickens

As fun and iconic as the chickens are, imagine living with roaming feral chickens day-to-day. The chickens can be a nuisance for island residents. They are noisy and produce a lot of messy droppings. But, the chickens are protected by law, and it is illegal to kill or harm them.

Residents appear to have a love-hate relationship with their wild chickens. Though the chickens are an important part of Key West culture, their numbers can get out of hand. To attempt to keep the population under control, the city has passed laws forbidding feeding the chickens. It used to be popular for tourists to feed them popcorn or french fries. But if they are caught doing that today, they can be fined.

There Was Once a Chicken Catcher on the Island

In what turned out to be an incredibly unpopular move by the City of Key West, in 2004 a chicken catcher was hired. The city agreed to pay Armando Parra $20 per bird for catching up to 900 birds, or $18,000, for every chicken he caught from January to September of that year.

The chickens were allegedly not going to be killed but relocated to a farm. However, rumors and speculation spread among Key West residents that the chickens were actually being killed. According to an article in the Miami Herald, published in May of 2004, Parra faced a lot of opposition from residents. He dealt with threats, vandals, and sabotage, and he didn’t meet his quota.

But hang on, because the story gets even dicier. Some locals suggest that after Parra delivered the chickens to the city, the chickens were killed, and not safely relocated. The Key West Newspaper reported that a film crew from the University of Florida was given directions to the farm where the chickens were reportedly being sent. However, the film crew didn’t find a farm, but instead, a slaughterhouse. Regardless of the true fate of the wild chickens in 2004, this was the only time the city ever hired a chicken catcher.

Key West Wildlife Center Rescues Wild Chickens

Key West Wildlife Center (KWWC) doesn’t catch healthy chickens, but it does rescue and provide medical treatment for local wild chickens in need. The organization rehabilitates injured or ill chickens and partners with rescue groups on the mainland to find good homes. KWWC will not remove healthy chickens from homes or businesses. However, their website does state that they will help residents resolve issues they are having with nuisance birds.