Govt Expands Feral Chicken Control Efforts
The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has “expanded its efforts to reduce Bermuda’s growing feral chicken population by providing training to farmers, equipping them with the skills and resources to manage chickens affecting agricultural land safely and humanely.”
A Government spokesperson said, “The training sessions, held last week, provided practical guidance on approved management techniques, safe equipment handling and responsible practices designed to ensure humane outcomes while protecting farmers’ crops and livelihoods.”
Minister of Public Works and Environment Jache Adams said, “Our farmers play a vital role in Bermuda’s food security, and we have a responsibility to provide them with the practical tools to protect their livelihoods. By expanding training and ensuring humane, consistent management practices, we are helping farmers reduce crop losses while supporting a coordinated, island-wide approach to managing the feral chicken population.”
The spokesperson said, “The Department of Environment and Natural Resources currently removes an average of approximately 1,300 feral chickens each month, including roughly 60 captured through traps distributed to members of the public. Despite these ongoing efforts, populations continue to recover due to high reproduction rates, making community cooperation and proactive management essential.
“As the demand for feral chicken management continues across the island, equipping farmers with the resources to safely manage feral chickens on their properties strengthens the overall response, allowing the Department to focus on priority areas while supporting farmers during critical planting periods.
“Participants also received practical information on adapting management techniques as feral chickens become more cautious over time, ensuring management efforts remain safe, effective, and humane.
“Farmers highlighted the ongoing impact of chickens on crop yields, noting that unmanaged populations continue to damage crops and contribute to significant agricultural losses. The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to supporting farmers through practical training and guidance as part of its broader strategy to protect Bermuda’s agricultural sector.
“The Ministry will continue working closely with farmers and other stakeholders while monitoring population trends to ensure that management efforts remain effective and resources are directed where they will have the greatest impact.
“Members of the public are also reminded to avoid feeding feral chickens, as this contributes to population growth and undermines ongoing management efforts.
“Residents experiencing issues with feral chickens are encouraged to submit a request to have them removed by visiting https://www.gov.bm/feralchickens, or by contacting the Department of Environment and Natural Resources on 236-4201.”
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The biggest problem with this is the poison that is being used. It is not designed for managing chickens! If you look closely at the Pest Off poison that they are using and research it you will find that it is not intended for use on chickens. Many other birds that are not being targeted will end up consuming and dying from the poison. Not to mention that the poison can continue to kill anything that consumes the dead birds after they die. This is by far the worst solution by far. A ridiculous mismanagement of natural resources. We have a struggling fish population and an abundance of feral chickens. Common sense tells us that the chickens could be fed to the fish. However we are using methods that make that impossible because the poison would basically kill them. We have strayed so far from the natural order of things that we are blind to the damage that we cause in the bigger picture. We have become so selfish thinking about how we will benefit but neglecting to realize the impact of our actions. Tell me what happens when this poison contaminates our produce and we lose human lives?
Not only is pest off not meant for use to control feral chickens, it is also illegal to use it for that purpose!!! This is a major problem because the poison will cause a major impact on the environment as a whole killing anything that consumes it and also continue to kill anything that consumes an animal that died from the poison.
So WHY are our officials instructing and supplying the poison for that use?
“The Ministry of Public Works and Environment has “expanded its efforts to reduce Bermuda’s growing feral chicken population by providing training to farmers”
Translation, the Government cannot do its job so it is asking for volunteers.
Government is already the biggest employer in Bermuda, so it cannot be for lack of staff.
What does Mr. Chicken have to say about wasting these fowls? Come on, less fortunate people would love free fried feral fowls. I am sure a few butchers would volunteer some time to inspect, clean, and cut the chickens to prepare for cooking. I would not expect anyone from the Ministry of Public Works and Environment to dirty their hands.
Where are all our “community organizers?” Surely they could help.
Come on, Ministry of Public Works and Environment, think outside the box.
How about letting private citizens license and import air rifles to deal with the problem on their properties?
I brought up an air rifle hunt several years ago. I was lucky BPS did not show up at my door.
I noticed when they started poisoning the chickens, the many wonderful ducks and whole duck families vanished from that park by the dump. If they caused the death of all those beloved ducks, that is unacceptable. Putting poison out in nature is stupid and dangerous for all animals and people.