I know that urban chicken keeping is all cool and what right now, but as with any other animal one must be sure they are ready to care for these funny, mostly not so bright, but sweet birds full time and for a lifetime (whether that means natural death, or humanely dispatched, cooked and eaten. I have run into at least 4 groups of abandon hens and one very young rooster over the past several weeks while out watch or doing a bird census for the city of Portland. These birds have all been in various open spaces in both public (parks and cemetary) and private (cemetary) situations. The birds for the most parts have looked like they were healthy indicating recent release. I doubt anyone would find weak birds as the coyotes, foxes, hawks, dogs, would get them before they have a chance to "go properly feral". I have found patches of feathers indicating consumption by another animal (most likely hawk or owl with the dispatch method, localization of feathers (plucked). During the past two weeks I have seen 3 Araucanas in the RiverView Natural Area, A single White Cornish Rooster (BIG BOY, BIG VOICE) that likely was mis-sexed when sold as a chick and had owners that were butcher squeamish, 4 Rhode Island Reds, who I later learned are neighborhood escape artists (though few would admit be outwitted by a chicken), and a gorgeous mom banty with 9 chicks - of several different varieties - who was being taken advantage of by owners who knew her special brooding talents and mothering skills. I know this is a little off topic, but please, if you are going to take on Chickens, or ducks, or turkeys, or pea fowl (MESS - we had one last week), guinea fowl or geese make sure you and you neighbors are happy with the idea of noice, feathers, poop, smells, and personalities. If you can't do that, then consider another less dynamic creature to care for (guinea pigs go great here) and Rock Pigeons are a little easier to keep than most birds in my opinion. Once you undertand them the daily routine is easy and just waching them fly is a pure joy. Also make sure you follow your local municipality or county rules! Rob

Rob Conway
SW Portland
45.46?N 122.68?W (Elev. 473ft)
robin_birder at hotmail.com