Video of Chicken Trap in Yio Chu Kang Sparked Discussion On Whether There’s a Need for It

Has the “chicken” situation in your area gotten so out of hand that NParks had to bring in contractors to capture them?

If you live near Cactus Road, which is in the Yio Chu Kang area, this might be your reality. Unlike other areas where residents and chickens coexist peacefully, things have reached a point there where trapping chickens has become necessary.

Here’s what happened.

Video of Chicken Trap in Yio Chu Kang Sparked Discussion On Whether There’s a Need for It

On 9 October, a member of the public uploaded a video to the Facebook group “Singapore Wildlife Sightings,” stating that NParks had sent contractors to set traps for wild chickens in response to residents’ complaints.

The video showed two uniformed men crouched on the grass, setting up traps.

Needless to say, the footage sparked a heated discussion. Many felt that the chickens posed no threat and even added to the kampong vibe of the neighborhood, making it hard to understand why trapping them was needed. On the other hand, some speculated that the chickens might have been a nuisance, prompting the complaints.

You can watch this video to know more about why there are so many chickens in Singapore:

Shin Min Daily News interviewed residents, most of whom said the chickens were harmless. However, some did mention that their large numbers and morning crowing were disturbing.

However, one resident shared that the chickens start crowing around 7 a.m. every day, which is very noisy. He clarified that he didn’t want them eliminated completely but hoped that reducing their numbers would bring some peace.

So, what does NParks have to say?

NParks: Collaborating with Grassroots and Adopting Various Solutions

NParks stated that over the past year, they’ve received complaints about environmental issues caused by free-ranging chickens. As part of their management measures, NParks has removed some chickens from the area.

The Senior Director of Wildlife Management at NParks told Shin Min Daily News that chickens are found in parks and residential areas.

NParks uses science-based and community-based approaches for animal management, including monitoring bird populations and studying their behavior. These efforts help assess any potential health risks from pathogens the chickens might carry.

The authorities have also implemented other solutions: removing food sources provided by the public, educating people not to release or feed chickens, modifying habitats, and controlling their numbers. They work with grassroots organizations to share best practices, encouraging residents not to feed the chickens and helping mitigate any negative effects.

According to NParks, chickens can find enough food in their natural environment, and there’s no need for the public to feed them. In fact, leftover food can attract pests like rats, which poses a risk to public health.