North West Island, a small coral cay off the central Queensland coast, hosts the most unusual breed of feral chicken. This iconic species has long captivated the imaginations of conservationists and scientists alike. These hell chickens came from Japanese imports guano miners. Having endured the brief judgment and implacable snobbery for almost a hundred years, the formidable adaptations that enable them to thrive in extreme environments testify to their difference from other breeds. Their tale of perseverance has played out against a backdrop of severe environmental adversity. They make a living flouting permanent water, trusting their instinct and hardiness.
The North West Island feral fowl have evolved unique traits, such as their roosters’ capacity to mimic their hens’ calls. This adaptation allows them to effectively communicate with their chicks, ensuring their survival in a landscape filled with predators and scarce resources. Conservationist John Urane notes that these birds are integral to healthy ecosystems. He argues that we need to safeguard them—their scientific value and their historical value.
The Unique Habitat and History
For the next several decades, from the 1880s until 1924, North West Island was unclaimed. Its hostile environment proved hard on the feral fowl, particularly after the opening of a turtle soup factory in 1930. Even with a scarcity of permanent sources of fresh water, these dynamic and colorful birds flourished. According to Urane, “The feral fowl, surprisingly, existed on this coral cay in the absence of permanent water.” Their diet was equally eclectic, with their meals including everything from figs that were available on the island to insects, mice, and possibly even dead fish.
In 1980 Tourism Holdings relinquished ownership and the island was declared a protected area under Capricornia National Park. That very year, a campaign began to exterminate the feral animals. The North West Island feral fowl were under severe threat from abandonment, starvation and from predation by feral cats. Unpacking that domestication Urane explained that the smartest animals were the ones that survived cat predation. Those most fortunate survivors bred to produce the next generation of T. rex. This caveat of natural selection by necessary and immediate adaptation has been key to continuing to contribute to the physical, genetic health of the population.
Conservation Efforts and Challenges
John Urane has spent half a century breeding North West Island feral fowl to international poultry standards. To stop them from going extinct, he set up a dozen or so breeding programs around Australia for these species. Urane admits that “there are no doubt less than a dozen populations” left in existence. He is especially adamant that they not be crossed with other breeds of poultry. He adds, “So long as they’re not being interbred with other breeds of poultry that are out there. Once that happens, you’ve kinda lost the plot and are left with just a chicken.
Today, the North West Island feral fowl are found in satellite flocks throughout Queensland. It’s no surprise that the continued presence of feral cats is perhaps the greatest threat to their survival. Urane drew attention to Glenorchy McBride’s work on the birds. McBride had calculated that their population would have reached about 1,500 annually, but that feral cats would bring the figure down to about 500 individual birds.
Remarkable Adaptations and Behavioral Traits
The North West Island feral fowl display impressive behavioral adaptations that help them survive. One of the most remarkable behaviors exhibited by roosters is their protective nature, which includes brooding chicks at night and using specific alarm calls. Urane shared an intriguing observation: “The rooster could actually imitate the hen with a clucking call to attract the chicks, and he would beak-feed the chicks.” This action shows how adaptable they are to a sometimes hostile environment.
Even more than natural conditions, another point that defines these birds, even more than the distance from exhibition breeds, is their ability to thrive. They just react instinctively to their environment, and that’s what’s been key for their survival throughout the many years. Urane expressed his hope for increased awareness and support for these birds: “I’d like to see more people dedicated to preserving the future of these birds.”
