The Welcoming Committee

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Upon moving in to our place in Waipahu, we were greeted by the Welcoming Committee.  Chickens.  These feral chickens roamed freely through our apartment complex.  Roosters crowed at seemingly all hours, including waking us up the first night at 2:00 a.m. outside our window.  At times, inquisitive couples have stood in our doorway, peering in like we were the ones in cages.  We thought about letting them in, but decided against it.  We know the pecking order.



 

The Welcoming Committee instantly gave me a "rural feel," despite the fact that Waipahu has been urbanized.
 
There are many theories on the island as to why there are so many chickens.  I've heard quite a few.  Some cultures love having them around.  This would make sense, as I've seen a few of my fellow residents feeding the feral chickens from time to time.  Perhaps the easiest explanation is that there are no natural predators in Hawai'i, such as foxes.
 
Chickens are helpful for Waipahu human life.  They like to eat bugs.  And, as we will explore in other posts, there are lots of bugs.
 
Local hens are in very high demand right now.  The bird flu is sweeping the world, and so local eggs are at a premium. 

Local humans of Hawai'i have been known to call chickens the "unofficial state bird."  I laugh.  As you'll see in future posts, the chicken has some funny competition for that title.
 
The official state bird is the nēnē, the Hawaiian goose.  I probably will not do a post on these beautiful creatures, as I don't think we have them in Waipahu.
 
It's such a contrast with the Midwest I knew.   In the Midwest, chickens were seen as purely rural, for food purposes.  This was starting to change.  In a few Michigan cities, you were starting to see "chicken laws" allowing a handful of "pet chickens."  In more rural areas, you might see feral or domestic groups.
 
You want to read more?  https://www.hawaiianairlines.com/hawaii-stories/hana-hou/articles/issue-26-4/fine-feathered-frenemies
 
  

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