516 W. Central Avenue, Fitzgerald, GA 31750     (229) 423-3123

Something to crow about...

The Wild Chicken Festival is held in historic downtown Fitzgerald annually the third weekend in March.

Back in the 1960’s, the Georgia Department of Natural Resources stocked Burmese chickens all over the state as an additional game bird to be hunted like pheasant or quail.

These tiny, colorful birds resemble fighting game chickens, sporting brilliant orange and yellow ruffs and gleaming black tail feathers.  Flocks of chicks were released several miles from Fitzgerald at the Ocmulgee River.  Populations of the bird never took hold in other areas of the state, but for some reason, left the river site and make their way to downtown Fitzgerald, where they have propagated and prospered ever since.

Fitzgerald residents have a love/hate relationship with these wild birds.  Some folks buy seed and feed them regularly while others chase them out of their yards and gardens with a broom and a few choice words.  They wake you up in the morning; create minor traffic problems, and some claim, even keep the bugs away.

See www.fitzgeraldga.org for other Annual Events and Things To Do.

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