Chicken... run!

I don't know how many of you know this but, Holland (and Rotterdam in particular) is the victim of an invasive species. About 90-years ago, some genius brought over a non-native type of chicken that was supposed to be better for farming. However, this breed was so aggressive and adaptable that after a few got loose, there was no controlling the wild chicken population.

As a result, there are certain areas that are not safe to travel without at least an experienced guide or a vehicle of some sort. These areas are marked with signs (see above picture) and people are indeed serious about the possible threat to one's personal safety. The wild roosters (reaching almost 1.20m in height) will attack most passerbys with the most common injuries being scratches and bites. However, there have also been several recorded incidents of people losing arms or legs.

To help remedy the situation the local government passed by decree "De het Pikken Orde" where wild roosters can be hunted within the surrounding park areas. Additionally, there are social incentives to collecting wild roosters. For example, Jerry, one of the Dutch student buddies, bounced a cheque at a local grocery store. As punishment, the store owner put the bounced cheque up on display for customers to see. However, the store owner offered to take the cheque down if Jerry would get a rooster and win a cockfight against a bigger chicken. Fortunately for "Little Jerry", Jerry's friend Kramer stepped in to stop the fight.


Teeks