Feral chickens are derived from domestic chickens (Gallus domesticus) who have returned to the wild. Like the red junglefowl (the closest wild relative of domestic chickens), feral chickens will roost in bushes in order to avoid predators at night. [1]

A feral rooster on the island of Kauai
A family of feral chickens, Key West, Florida

Feral chickens typically form social groups composed of a dominant cockerel, several hens, and subordinate cocks. Sometimes the dominant cockerel is designated by a fight between cocks.[2]

Locations famous for feral chickens

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America

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Asia

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Australasia

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Europe

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Oceania

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  • Forests of Guam,[6] although not significantly integrated into the trophic levels in this location[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Tove Danovitch (24 May 2023). "Kaui's Feral Chickens Are Out of Control". The Atlantic. Retrieved 24 May 2023.
  2. ^ Leonard, Marty L.; Zanette (1998). "Female mate choice and male behaviour in domestic fowl" (PDF). Animal Behaviour. 56 (5): 1099–1105. doi:10.1006/anbe.1998.0886. PMID 9819324. S2CID 45208700. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-05-15. Retrieved 2008-04-25.
  3. ^ "Feral Chickens". The Department of Environment and Natural Resources. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  4. ^ "Feral chickens running wild in New Orleans". www.cbsnews.com. 12 April 2011. Retrieved 2021-09-24.
  5. ^ "Chicken Roundabout!". Archived from the original on 2009-05-16. Retrieved 2009-09-05.
  6. ^ "Nature & Wildlife - Chamorro Culture". Guam Visitors Bureau. Government of Guam. 2018-09-24. Retrieved 2021-04-26.
  7. ^ Fritts, Thomas H.; Rodda, Gordon H. (1998). "The Role of Introduced Species in the Degradation of Island Ecosystems: A Case History of Guam". Annual Review of Ecology, Evolution, and Systematics. 29 (1). Annual Reviews: 113–140. Bibcode:1998AnRES..29..113F. doi:10.1146/annurev.ecolsys.29.1.113. ISSN 0066-4162. S2CID 59396297.
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