Chickens have been roaming the streets of Puerto Rico for over 400 years. Thanks to their origins in Southeast Asia, they thrive in the island’s humid, tropical environment.
Like the gatos del paraíso, chickens can be found everywhere- from the hard streets of San Juan, to Rincón’s mountainous jungles on the coast.
Please enjoy this photo collection of a few of the island’s many chickens, along with a bit of pollo vocabulary.
The controversial sport of cockfighting is deeply ingrained in Puerto Rican culture. These murals, painted along Calle Loíza in San Juan, showcase the exaltation of the gallo de pelea (fighting rooster).
This one tried to fight me outside a local bodega.
Roost where you can.
Trying to blend in with las palomas.
Puerto Rico is rich in color everywhere you look. 😍
🥺 Pobrecito… Thankfully Mama and chiquita reunited shortly after this photo.
I took this pic before 7 AM. Estos gallos woke up ready to fight.
Above: Crossing San Juan streets.
Below: Las gallinas out for a stroll on a flower farm in Rincón.
Estas gallinas (and la pava 🦃 in the back) enjoy a picturesque life at an exotic flower farm in Rincón, where I stayed for part of my trip. It’s off the beaten path and the views are totally worth it, but I highly recommend you don’t wait until nightfall to look for it.
If you’re looking to stay somewhere in Rincón that’s a little less secluded, try this pet-friendly Airbnb nearby.
en conclusión
I’m pretty proud of these photos, especially the ones that had me looking like a loca chicken lady stalking roosters between cars. 😅
But they sat dormant for 6 months. They needed to serve a purpose for my audience (that’s you, btw), and I struggled to write a meaningful article to go along with them.
Then I remembered- one of the pros to having a blog is that you can do with it whatever you please. Unlike other social media platforms, you’ve got complete digital freedom with your ideas and your format.
So Don’t be chicken!
If you’ve got a blog, share the link in the comments❗️
Showcase your writing, your art, your photography!
If you’re proud, and you want others to see,
share it with the world!
Or at least, share it with me.