Locals petition to have roosters federally protected (tax, garden)

[HanapepePuppy]

mayor said. “It’s only tax money, and well worth the investment.”

Something to squawk about - Thegardenisland.com: Local




Some garden island april 1st fun

[YolkyPalky]

Haha When I read that this morning, I almost fell for it! That was a good one.

Actually on a related note, the past two times I have been to Kauai (both in the last 6 months), I noticed what seemed to be way less roosters/feral chickens than when I was there in the past in 2006 & 2009. I used to see them everywhere, in bunches, but last couple times, not so many.

I asked several people about it, no one had a clear answer, although some said with the economic downturn some people began catching them, fattening them up a bit, and eating them. Some theorized that residents and resort properties were "controlling" the population through traps, poison, or whatever. Some also said that mongoose may be on the Island, and they eat the eggs before they hatch, which would be terrible for all native birds, not just chickens.

Anyway, am I the only one who feels that the visible chicken population has decreased in the past couple years?

[Mark.ca]

Well, since this is the last Kauai chicken tread i will use it to ask a serious question.
Is anyone getting worried about the feral chickens numbers going out of control?
There is no way this invasion will not have an impact on the island ecosystem. I could not believe my eyes, they are everywhere. I'm guessing that the landscape gardeners will work longer hours since these thinghs will dig up everything in search for bugs....but is there a more serious risk here?

[Galactastica]

I think the moa are a very big concern, but like Hawai'i's other big concerns (mongoose, pig, cats, etc.) they are a very hard concern to actually do anything about!

[KauaiHiker]

I don't think the chickens and roosters are anywhere near as big a concern as mongooses, pigs, or cats. Yes, they're all over, in the towns and in the forests, and generally spreading. But they don't seem to really upset the local ecosystems or other endangered species, unlike those other ones. Plus the moa earns its place as a canoe species (brought by the Polynesians), and is also the most colorful bird in Hawaii.

[Mark.ca]

What is the moa? You don't mean the roosters, do you? I can only find reference to an extinct specie.

[KauaiHiker]

Yes, moa is the Hawaiian word for the chickens and roosters they brought with them to the islands (but my Hawaiian isn't good enough to know whether it means "chicken," "rooster" or a generic name for the animal). Nowadays, I believe scientists call the species jungle fowl (originating in Asia) to differentiate it from domesticated European breeds. Like the pigs, the Polynesian species interbred with the domesticated European breeds to create the various colored ones you see today on Kauai. But some of the European breeds look almost the same and so in some cases it can be hard to tell. I heard that European breeds are polygamous (one rooster will have several hens) and the Hawaiian moa is monagamous. Whether that means the moa is still a distinct species by only breeding with its own kind, or mixed but still retaining a characteristic behavior, I don't know. It could also be all made up, as I don't have a reliable source for this info.

[Kaua'i Jim]

Originally Posted by KauaiHiker

Yes, moa is the Hawaiian word for the chickens and roosters they brought with them to the islands (but my Hawaiian isn't good enough to know whether it means "chicken," "rooster" or a generic name for the animal). Nowadays, I believe scientists call the species jungle fowl (originating in Asia) to differentiate it from domesticated European breeds. Like the pigs, the Polynesian species interbred with the domesticated European breeds to create the various colored ones you see today on Kauai. But some of the European breeds look almost the same and so in some cases it can be hard to tell. I heard that European breeds are polygamous (one rooster will have several hens) and the Hawaiian moa is monagamous. Whether that means the moa is still a distinct species by only breeding with its own kind, or mixed but still retaining a characteristic behavior, I don't know. It could also be all made up, as I don't have a reliable source for this info.

Aloha,

Is it possible to round up some and have a chicken coop? I saw some nesting near Poi'pū and wondered how easy it would be to start using them for eggs.

Mahalo.

[Mark.ca]

It could be easy but why do it? You get smaller egs and less meat on bones with the wild ones. You can grow your own and not wait for too long either since they grow fast.

[Kaua'i Jim]

Originally Posted by Mark.ca

It could be easy but why do it? You get smaller egs and less meat on bones with the wild ones. You can grow your own and not wait for too long either since they grow fast.

Right on, mahalo.