>>> they flock all over san juan batista, they flock any where they want and they make a lot of noise. we're not talking about tourist, we're talking about chickens. robert handa says the town is trying to figure out what to do with them. >> reporter: the symbolic center of town, the chickens that roam freely are also a part of the history here but now will they become history? why did the chickens cross the road, well in san juan batista they could be escaping from people who want to get rid of them or posing for tourists who love them. >> well it sort of takes you back to a little old world feel. >> reporter: some business owners say they believe many of the chickens are descendents from those brought to juan batista in 1871. >> our chicken who we named george is part of our ambiance he adds to the character. >> reporter: but some people have asked the city council to get rid of the chickens. >> it's really loud at night. all night long. i had the misconception that they only do it at dawn. they do it 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., all night long. >> i get it, i understand the quaintness of

well in san juan batista they could be escaping from people who want to get rid of them or posing forts who love them. >> well it sort of takes you back to a little old world feel. you know. >> reporter: some business owners say they believe many of the chickens are descendents from those brought to mission san juan batista in 1759 and are part of the community. >> our chicken who we've named george is a part of our ambience here, he adds to the character. >> reporter: but some residents have been asking the town council to remove the chickens especially roosters say they roam too much, they are dirty and loud. >> it's really loud at night. i had the misconception that a lot of people have that they only do it at dawn, but they do it 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., all night long. >> i get it, i understand the quaintness of it it's great. end of the day, i don't want them out, i want them managed. >> reporter: after a lot of public squackin, the council hired a group to take the chickens and house them. only one problem, have you ever tried to catch a chicken? reed says the town council is taki

well in san juan batista they could be escaping from people who want to get rid of them or posing forts who love them. >> well it sort of takes you back to a little old world feel. you know. >> reporter: some business owners say they believe many of the chickens are descendents from those brought to mission san juan batista in 1759 and are part of the community. >> our chicken who we've named george is a part of our ambience here, he adds to the character. >> reporter: but some residents have been asking the town council to remove the chickens especially roosters say they roam too much, they are dirty and loud. >> it's really loud at night. i had the misconception that a lot of people have that they only do it at dawn, but they do it 2:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m., all night long. >> i get it, i understand the quaintness of it it's great. end of the day, i don't want them out, i want them managed. >> reporter: after a lot of public squackin, the council hired a group to take the chickens and house them. only one problem, have you ever tried to catch a chicken? reed says the town council is taki