A rooster no longer crows in downtown San Jose. The chickens have been evicted and their home demolished. A run-down house at the dead end of Old West Julian Street is gone and so is my simple pleasure of rolling past country life in a hard-times corner of the city. So long, my feathered friends. It’s been good to know you.
Yesterday morning they were tearing down the shed in the back and by evening the house in front was gone. This morning they were hauling away the remains. The Autumn Street road extension is being built two doors down and this light industrial area is slated to become an “innovation district” in San Jose’s plan.
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- The crowing of the roosters made me smile on my morning commute.
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- The dog next door didn’t enjoy it so much, even if the rooster did.
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- Only recently did I see a hen with chicks. Wonder where they are now?
About the Bike Commute Diaries: Launched in May 2012 for National Bike Month, this series explores the daily experiences and unexpected things I’ve seen and learned while bicycling for transportation.
Cheryl
August 19, 2014 at 10:20 am
I met those friendly guys when going to the Turkey Trot. beautiful creatures – hope they found a nice, free range habitat somewhere.
ladyfleur
August 19, 2014 at 10:22 am
They certainly had it good before. Totally free range along a lush river bank. I have no idea where they went, but it doesn’t look good for the roosters. Hens are allowed almost anywhere in San Jose, but roosters are not allowed in areas zoned residential.
jillycube
August 19, 2014 at 12:10 pm
Oh no :( I was wondering why I’ve seen a few loose in the trail. There was a rooster and hen together by a small bush in a portion of the trail after the dirt part past Target. T_T
ladyfleur
August 19, 2014 at 12:14 pm
Did you see them today or before the house was torn down yesterday? I sure hope the chickens aren’t homeless now.
Cheryl
August 20, 2014 at 11:47 am
Check out Tour de Coop if you have time – some really neat hen coops and gardens (http://tourdecoop.org/)
ladyfleur
August 21, 2014 at 8:22 am
Chicken Update (8/20): Looks like at least one rooster and hen were left behind when they demolished the house. They may belong to one of the businesses nearby. If not, I have a friend who lives up in the hills that’s willing to take them.