Gypsy Chickens
Updated 10 months by Bonnie Gross Key West has a lot of off-beat charms, but one of my favorites has always been the chickens, dubbed gypsy chickens by locals. The feral fowl that frequent the streets and alleys of Key West seem like the perfect metaphor for Key West -- historic, colorful, sort of wild, a little noisy and occasionally annoying. You don't have to work hard to spot Key West.
What's up with the chickens? This is a common query from visitors to the island. Locals refer to them as gypsy chickens. Some backyard hens earned their freedom when people ceased the time-consuming practice of turning live chickens into Sunday supper many decades ago.
Key West Rooster | A local Key West "gypsy" chicken | Kelley Diwan | Flickr
When cockfighting was outlawed, other roosters were liberated. Since Key West is a no-kill island, it didn't take long for. I was wondering who else is keeping the infamous Key West chickens.
I picked up a BBR hen and her 8 chicks in early October. They are tough little birds. Anyone have any they want to share photos and stories of? It looks like my chicks are going to be a either a 5-3 or 4-4 ratio, one of them is.
Gypsy Chicken, Rooster Photograph by Millard H. Sharp
Have you ever wondered why chickens are roaming freely in the streets of Key West, Florida? It may seem like an unusual sight, but these gypsy chickens have a fascinating story to tell. From their historic significance to their quirks and controversies, Key West's feral fowl have become an integral part of the island's culture. Join us as we unravel the mystery of why chickens have made.
Adopted chickens come with a signed letter from the City Mayor attesting to their authentic breeding as "Key West Gypsy Chickens". As you can see, the Key West Gypsy Chicken is very much a part of Key West. A colorful part that sets it apart from other destinations.
#100HappyDays: Gypsy chickens and birthday celebrations
Abandoned hen meet abandoned rooster! Nearly 40 years later Key West's gypsy chickens are as much a part of Key West as the sand, sun, and ocean are. Due to recent spikes in the chicken population, Key West's city commission recently voted to ban the feeding of these feral fowls. Regardless, locals love and protect their funky chicken pals.
Known as "gypsy" chickens, thousands of these feral fowl roam freely throughout Key West and are protected by city ordinance. While chickens have always been a colorful part of Key West history, their numbers increased during the 1950s. The Chickens Today: Living Landmarks Fast-forward to the present scenario, and you'll find chickens practically everywhere in Key West - from busy commercial streets to serene residential areas, and even in local businesses.
They are now, quite fittingly, referred to as the 'Gypsy Chickens of Key West'. Feral chickens have become part of the cultural fabric of Key West and Tampa's Ybor City. What's the connection? Just follow the tobacco.
If you've ever walked around Ybor City or Key West, you've probably seen a random chicken crossing the road and wondered why. Or maybe you've asked yourself who they belong to or where they came from. In Key West, the locals call them gypsy.
Welcome to the Gypsy Chickens of Key West! When people in earlier times migrated to Key West and being aware of its isolation from food sources, they brought their own chickens with them, providing eggs, meat and of course reproduction of the species.
