Hawaii lawmakers consider allowing residents to kill feral chickens – The Garden Island

Hawaii residents could be allowed to kill feral chickens in their community in the latest effort to help resolve a perennial issue that continues to divide neighbors who both hate and love them.

Two bills being considered this legislative session would allow residents to kill feral chickens, under House Bill 1852 and the latest version of HB 980, which stalled in the 2025 legislative session but automatically rolled into this one.

Neither bill limits how chickens could be killed, but they both would outlaw “torture and extreme abuse.”

HB 1852 and HB 980 represent merely the latest effort from legislators to address their constituents’ complaints about chickens overrunning homes, parks, businesses and schools.

People typically complain that feral chickens threaten Hawaii’s fragile ecosystem and could spread disease, especially with the increase in avian influenza cases.

In 2023 alone, legislation focused on enforcing fines for feeding feral chickens, statewide control and authorization of trapping chickens using electronic devices.

In 2025, some bills included a five-year eradication program, legal liability for property owners and public education.

This year, HB 1852 and HB 980 take a different approach.

According to HB 980, feral chickens “have become a persistent nuisance” by wandering onto private property, agitate household pets and create dangerous situations for drivers.

It also cited cases of bird flu and emphasized its danger to native bird populations and humans.

As of February 2025, according to the bill, there were 68 reported infections and at least one confirmed death of bird flu since March 2024.

“The uncontrolled presence of feral chickens increases the risk of spreading the disease and highlights the urgent need to take action,” according to HB 980.

Killing feral chickens would be allowed only on private land and with written permission of the landowner.

The bill also requires that the killing must be done humanely with methods consistent with American Veterinary Medical Association euthanasia guidelines.

HB 1852 takes a broader and less restrictive approach.

“No person shall be prohibited from killing a mongoose or a feral chicken in any manner not prohibited by law, including by trapping,” according to HB 1852.

Unlike HB 980, HB 1852 does not limit where a person can kill a chicken nor requires landowner permission.

HB 1852 also removes feral chickens from the definition of “wild birds,” which excludes them from wildlife protections.

The bill amends animal cruelty laws to exempt acts against feral chickens, while still prohibiting torture and extreme abuse.

No one had submitted written testimony on behalf of HB 1852 as of last week.

But last year, Kayla Marie submitted written testimony in opposition to HB 980.

“The methods of killing chickens outlined in this bill are cruel,” Marie said. “I feel that the state should focus on other methods to manage the chicken population that doesn’t involve the slaughter of animals.”

The Hawaiian Humane Society also opposed HB 980.

“A far more impactful response to avian flu concerns would be to shut down cock fighting operations and the breeding of roosters on agricultural lands,” according its written testimony.

But, Thomas Haia wrote in support and argued, “this measure is necessary to permit landowners the right to protect their land, livestock and pets.”