{"id":206190,"date":"2026-03-05T21:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T21:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/206190\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T21:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T21:40:09","slug":"sacramento-neighborhood-overwhelmed-by-chickens-residents-estimated-at-least-100-running-wild","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/206190\/","title":{"rendered":"Sacramento neighborhood overwhelmed by chickens, residents estimated at least 100 running wild"},"content":{"rendered":"

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — Residents of Old North Sacramento near Boxwood Street are overwhelmed by a growing population of chickens, with the city unable to assist due to staffing constraints.<\/p>\n

Neighbors estimate there are at least 100 chickens in the area, and their presence is hard to ignore.<\/p>\n

“They’re everywhere,” Alvin Mayers said. “It’s annoying.”<\/p>\n

“It’s like we live in a chicken farm,” Philip Malan said.<\/p>\n

MORE: Jury convicts Bay Area activist who took 4 chickens from Perdue plant<\/a><\/p>\n

The chickens are not only visible but also audible, with roosters often crowing early in the morning and waking up neighbors.<\/p>\n

“They start up, you know, probably around 2 to 2:30 every morning and they just go all the time. It’s nonstop,” Malan said.<\/p>\n

The noise is not the only issue. Residents report that the chickens jump into yards, tear up dirt, and leave waste behind.<\/p>\n

“It’s become probably a sanitary issue at this point,” Malan said.<\/p>\n

The origin of the chickens in the neighborhood remains unclear. Neighbors don’t know if they began as pets and escaped, if they were intentionally released, or exactly how and when they ended up there.<\/p>\n

“That’s kind of a mystery,” Malan said. “It leaves us stuck.”<\/p>\n

Some neighbors have come to love the chickens, but most agree they should live somewhere safer without the constant potential of being hit by a car.<\/p>\n

“I think they should be taken to a sanctuary because I don’t want them to get hurt and I feel like I care about them,” Aleida Hernandez said. “We feel bad for them because we don’t want them to get hurt or anything, but people always hit them.”<\/p>\n

“I would just prefer if they weren’t in our neighborhood,” Malan said.<\/p>\n

Malan said that he has been reaching out to the city for help but hasn’t seen any changes.<\/p>\n

“Me and other neighbors started reaching out to the city probably about six months ago, just saying, ‘We need help, right? Can you get rid of the chickens, do something?’ And they really haven’t done anything about it,” he said.<\/p>\n

The city of Sacramento explained that it cannot address free-roaming chickens due to “a large and ever-replenishing number of higher priority calls.”<\/p>\n

“There is substantial time involved to catch or trap chickens, and although we wish we could assist, triaging higher priority calls does not make this possible at this time given our current staffing levels,” the city said in an emailed statement to KCRA 3.<\/p>\n

The city suggested residents could trap the chickens themselves and bring them to a shelter or seek help through Facebook groups to find experienced chicken advocates who may be able to help with trapping and transporting the chickens to the shelter.<\/p>\n

However, if the nuisance chickens have owners, then there is an enforcement process.<\/p>\n

“This involves first sending a letter advising the property owner of the local ordinances. If we continue to get complaints, an officer will visit the residence to assess, provide education, and attempt to get voluntary compliance from the owner in addressing the problem or rehoming the chickens. If the owner doesn’t comply, citations would be the next step,” the city said.<\/p>\n

Residents said they wish the issue was more of a priority.<\/p>\n

“Just show us you care. We’re asking for help. We just need some help so people can sleep,” Malan said. “I don’t think it’s a big ask. I don’t think it’s unrealistic.”<\/p>\n

Residents are now looking for anyone who may be able to help re-home the chickens.<\/p>\n

Please note: This story was provided to CNN Wire by an affiliate and does not contain original CNN reporting.<\/p>\n

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