01-21-2018, 12:01 PM
DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
Q&A re Feral Chickens
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) considers feral chickens as free-ranging domestic chickens. Free ranging domestic chickens do not fall under jurisdiction of the DLNR.
1) Can I trap free-ranging domestic chickens live on my property with consent of my landlord?
Yes, you may take free-ranging domestic chickens as long you have the landowner’s permission. You do, however need to abide by other county/state laws pertaining to animal cruelty and other laws not under DLNR jurisdiction
2) Can I release them someplace else?
No, free-ranging domestic chickens should not be released back into the wild. By doing so would only create problems elsewhere. Nuisance chickens should be euthanized and disposed of properly.
3) Can you shoot the wild chickens?
We do not recommend shooting chickens in residential areas due to liability issues. In agricultural areas, you may use a pellet gun or small caliber or shotgun. A DLNR permit is not required for trapping or shooting free-ranging domestic chickens. Please review your local county laws on the use of firearms in certain areas.
4) Can someone lay claim that the wandering local chickens are theirs?
Free-ranging domestic chickens are not protected birds. DLNR laws and rules do not apply to free-ranging domestic chickens.
5) Is there not some requirement to keep their claimed chickens on their property?
DLNR laws and rules do not apply to free-ranging domestic chickens.
6) Can a purchased (not wild) chicken be allowed to run loose off his property on to mine? Is there not some legal responsibility for a chicken owner to maintain is chicken on his property?
Please check with your local County government or Hawaii Department of Agriculture for rules regarding poultry farming. You may also check with your local county for laws regarding pets and property.
7) What about when they are supposedly on state land? Would we just ignore them unless their numbers started to become a problem to native resources?
A: DOFAW would control wild chickens on state lands if they are presenting a problem for native resources - such as a problem in wildlife sanctuaries, etc.
Q&A re Feral Chickens
The Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) considers feral chickens as free-ranging domestic chickens. Free ranging domestic chickens do not fall under jurisdiction of the DLNR.
1) Can I trap free-ranging domestic chickens live on my property with consent of my landlord?
Yes, you may take free-ranging domestic chickens as long you have the landowner’s permission. You do, however need to abide by other county/state laws pertaining to animal cruelty and other laws not under DLNR jurisdiction
2) Can I release them someplace else?
No, free-ranging domestic chickens should not be released back into the wild. By doing so would only create problems elsewhere. Nuisance chickens should be euthanized and disposed of properly.
3) Can you shoot the wild chickens?
We do not recommend shooting chickens in residential areas due to liability issues. In agricultural areas, you may use a pellet gun or small caliber or shotgun. A DLNR permit is not required for trapping or shooting free-ranging domestic chickens. Please review your local county laws on the use of firearms in certain areas.
4) Can someone lay claim that the wandering local chickens are theirs?
Free-ranging domestic chickens are not protected birds. DLNR laws and rules do not apply to free-ranging domestic chickens.
5) Is there not some requirement to keep their claimed chickens on their property?
DLNR laws and rules do not apply to free-ranging domestic chickens.
6) Can a purchased (not wild) chicken be allowed to run loose off his property on to mine? Is there not some legal responsibility for a chicken owner to maintain is chicken on his property?
Please check with your local County government or Hawaii Department of Agriculture for rules regarding poultry farming. You may also check with your local county for laws regarding pets and property.
7) What about when they are supposedly on state land? Would we just ignore them unless their numbers started to become a problem to native resources?
A: DOFAW would control wild chickens on state lands if they are presenting a problem for native resources - such as a problem in wildlife sanctuaries, etc.