Key West Chickens
Since 2009, the Wildlife Center has been part of a concession agreement with the City of Key West to provide rescue, medical care and adoption services for the feral chickens of Key West. Through this agreement we have worked to provide the best possible environment for the chickens under our care with an emphasis on nutrition and cleanliness. We rescue many sick, orphaned and injured local chickens as a result of car strikes, respiratory diseases, avian pox, botulism, cock-fighting injuries, broken legs and wing and eye injuries. Our center focuses on all aspects of optimal nutrition and a clean facility to help rehabilitate the sick and injured birds we rescue. We provide high protein chicken feed and add fresh produce as a dietary enhancement donated by St. Mary’s Star of the Sea Food Pantry. We provide medical care to help sick and injured birds get in optimal shape before we find them new homes.
Where Do the Chickens Go?
Since June of 2011 we have worked pro-actively to find a number of properties and partner with individuals on the Florida mainland who can provide care and good homes for Key West chickens. Peat Marsh Ranch, a large property just north of Lake Okeechobee, provides space for our birds where they can live free range. We also partner with an eight acre property just outside of Ft. Meyers that provides a loving home for our chickens. These are just two of many quality locations we have found where caring individuals provide ideal homes for the Key West chickens.
Funding and Services
While our wildlife rescue and rehabilitation services are solely funded through donations, our chicken services are funded by the City of Key West through a concession agreement. We provide rescues for injured, sick, and orphaned Key West chickens and find them quality homes. We also partner with the citizens of Key West to provide solutions for chickens that are not wanted on private property or businesses. While we do not remove healthy chickens from homes or businesses, we can work to help resolve these situations.
We Rehabilitate Over 1400 Native Wild Birds Annually
The Key West Wildlife Center acts as a field hospital and trauma center for native wild birds. We hold State (FWC) and Federal (USFW) rehabilitation permits. We provide 24-hour emergency rescue services for Key West and the lower keys from mile marker 0-30. Our main focus is on rescuing, rehabilitating and returning avian species to the wild. We do provide emergency rescue services for sea turtles, tortoises, and marine mammals in partnership with other regional rescue organizations.
We do not remove healthy Key West Chickens. We do not rescue or treat any non-native species. We do not perform “pest control” type removals of healthy native or non-native species. We do not handle dog or cat rescues. The Florida Keys SPCA handles all non-native and pet services.
GET IN TOUCH WITH US
Our 24 hour wildlife rescue line is 305-292-1008. Our office is open seven days a week from 9am-5pm located inside the Sonny McCoy Indigenous Park at 1801 White Street.