Wild, Feral Chickens in Bermuda? Yes!
This summer we went to Bermuda. The water and beaches were absolutely amazing.
This was one of the most naturally beautiful places that I have ever been.
Prior to going, when I was researching a bit, I discovered that the entire island of Bermuda has feral chickens. While Bermuda considers them a huge problem because of crop devastation, they were absolutely adorable! Everywhere you looked you could see chickens sunbathing, scratching, tending their babies, etc. Chickens are as plentiful there as squirrels are here in North Carolina.
One very interesting thing about the chickens in Bermuda is the fact that they have no predators. No hawks, raccoon, opossums, etc. The only true predators Bermuda says there are for chickens are: rats, crows, and cars.
Bermuda is actively attempting to decrease the massive population of chickens which has been
estimated to be at least 30,000. Bermuda itself is only 21 miles, and is inhabited by approximately
65,000 people. At the rate of increase, and no predators it will not be long before the chickens
out number the humans. I found this information here, and you can learn much more about them.
While their numbers are slowly dwindling, it appears the chickens have decided to begin
a colony in this graveyard, which is surrounded by a huge grove of trees.
Here, they have cover, safety, and are relatively protected from the tourists.
What is interesting to consider is the fact that they survive alone, without commercial feed or medications. They are amazing, and it is proof that given the ability and lack of predators, chickens are smart enough to take care of themselves, feed themselves, and medicate themselves naturally.
I did not have time to hike through the wildlife in Bermuda, and as you can see it is lush. I would like to offer one possible reason why the feral chickens are able to survive without conventional medications. In Bermuda, certain herbs grow wild, and the chickens have unlimited access to them.
“These include arugula, basil, chives, coriander, cumin, dill and fennel ( Foeniculum vulgare), aromatic, which grows wild in just about every corner of Bermuda but is not at all gathered for commercial reasons. It is a native of Southern Europe and is naturalized in Britain and North America. It was one of the plants introduced to Bermuda in 1616. Traditionally, it was grown in Bermuda to eat with fish, in particular salt fish. Also common are garlic, marjorum, mint, parsley, rosemary, sage (the edible herb, not the bush), and thyme.”
Now, this is just my own little theory, and I have no scientific evidence to back it up, but it is very interesting, don’t you think? So, if you are a chicken lover, I highly recommend Bermuda!
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| Yes, that is me! |
