OVIEDO, Fla. – For more than 40 years, the streets of downtown Oviedo were known not just for their small-town charm, but also for an unexpected local celebrity — wild chickens.
The story begins in the 1980s when, locals say, a crate full of chickens fell off a truck. What followed was a tale of free-roaming poultry that became a beloved part of Oviedo’s identity.
But recently, Oviedo residents have been asking: What happened to the chickens?
In the early days, chickens roamed freely throughout Oviedo, taking over the streets and even finding homes in local businesses. Tourists and residents alike would spot them pecking around downtown, and many even started feeding them. As the chickens multiplied, they became a familiar sight in the area. Some locals affectionately referred to them as Oviedo’s unofficial mascot.
But in recent years, residents have noticed the once-plentiful flock has thinned. The chickens, once seen on every corner, are now almost impossible to find.
As the chickens started to disappear, questions began to surface. What happened to them? Could they have been removed?
Many speculate that the chickens, once a novelty, became more of a nuisance to some businesses due to the mess they left behind. The town’s mayor, Megan Sladek, explained the issue during an interview, noting that the chickens were considered a “nuisance” by certain business owners because of the “chicken poop problem.”
According to Sladek, the chickens were “humanely removed” from the properties where they were most abundant. While some might have hoped for a more peaceful solution, the mayor clarified that it was a property owner’s right to manage their land and that the chickens were ultimately considered livestock, not protected migratory birds.
“The chickens just disappeared one night,” said Sladek. “It was a decision made by private landowners, and the city had nothing to do with it.”
The disappearance of the chickens is just one of many changes to the town of Oviedo in recent years. As new businesses move in, construction booms, and the population grows, some long-time residents feel the town is losing its rural charm.
“The chickens were part of what made Oviedo special,” said one local. “It’s sad to see them go, but it’s a sign of the times.”
Though the chickens may be gone, they will not be forgotten.
Local businesses still carry chicken-themed products, and tourists continue to search for stories about the infamous flock.
The Oviedo chickens may have disappeared, but their legacy lives on in the town’s history.
