Feral chickens of Key West

February, 2010.

Feral chickens at Key West Post Office

This picture was taken in front of the main post office on Whitehead Street in Key West. It looked like a barnyard full of chickens! That is the front door to the post office you see with the arch.

Colourful chickens patrol the streets, residential yards, and stroll about in restaurants and taverns. It is said that possibly 2,000 to 3,000 feral chickens inhabit Key West. They are as emblematic of the island as Jimmy Buffet. I love it. VBG

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Some say these feral chickens descended from fighting cocks brought to the island long ago. However, now the chickens are protected by local law. As you might suspect there are those who think feral chickens are a nuisance and others who feel they should be protected. The notorious live-and-let-live attitued is being "tested" in this controversy.

I can certainly say that feral chickens roaming the streets is unique.

Kapok tree

Joyce in front of the large kapok tree on Whitehead Street in front of the court house. If you are visiting Key West and want to see this tree get on Whitehead Street you will see it one block south of the post office. I think it is located at the foot of U.S. Highway 1 which ends/starts on Whitehead Street. In any event it is pretty easy to spot. The roots on kapok trees are unique to say the least. Kapok trees produce the material that old life preservers used to be made of. If you are old enough to remember the bulky life preservers of old those are the ones that were filled with kapok fiber.

Feral chicken around kapok tree

Just another rooster crowing near the post office!

Another feral chicken

Can't have to many photographs of roosters!

By the way you know you have stayed out to late if there is a roster crowing when you are making your way back home after a night on Duval Street!

Yep, there is a rooster we hear crowing on Caroline Street between midnight and 2am. Protected or not that would be one dead rooster if it was in my yard.

Joyce and I laugh every time we hear that rooster crowing as we make our way back to the motorhome after a fun night on Duval Street.

Chickens of Duval Street

This pair was heading up the steps to a winery on South Duval Street. Looks to me to be a hot date. What do you think?