If you’re part of the crafting world (or even if you’re not), chances are good you’ve heard of Emotional Support Chickens.
We didn’t want to miss out on the fun, so here are our ESCs and their stories.
Milly and Tilly (Mary Beth - owner)
Milly and Tilly have been friends and coop-mates since they were young chicks. They lived with a farmer and his family who loved them and treated them very well.
They provided the family with eggs for several years. One time, one of both Milly and Tilly’s eggs were left to fertilize, and they each had a brand new chick of their own. Together, they raised their babies. Finally, the chicks were sent to live with a family friend of the farmers, where the chicks grew and provided breakfast for THAT family!
Today, Milly and Tilly no longer produce eggs for the farmer, but they’re still great friends and reign over the chicken coop making sure the younger hens get along and do their jobs! (Milly recently went on vacation in Gatl-hen-burg. While Milly was gone, Tilly had her kitten friend to keep her company.)
Mama Fryer and Brandon (Teena - owner)
Mama Fryer was my great grandmother. She was a lady of few words. She lived behind my grandmother and when my mom got divorced with 4 little kids, we lived with my grandmother. I was the oldest, so I would escape to Mama Fryer. She grew peanuts, quilted, and made the best biscuits. When she hid her chewing gum (that she had already chewed), I’d find it and chew it. I remember spending the night with her, and she would sleep with me. We would take turns rubbing each other’s backs. Wonderful memories—
Brandon is named after my son who died last year. This chicken is for my daughter’s birthday this month.
Aryton Henna (Saroja - owner)
Aryton Henna started life as a runaway, rollaway, really. As a young egg, she rolled away from the South American coop, only to be found by a pack of wild raccoons, who inexplicably hatched and raised Henna as one of their own. One of their favorite childhood games was tag, and the little hen learned to be fast, since sometimes the instincts of her adoptive siblings kicked in.
She literally burst onto the racing scene when a particularly wild game of tag found her dashing into the Brazilian Grand Prix, where she handily won by multiple laps.
As with many drivers, she is known only by her surname, with the chants of “Hen-na! Hen-na! Hen-na!” echoing through the crowd wherever she goes.
Patty Sue (Lisa - owner)
Hi! My name is Patty Sue. I was born in Clarksville, Tennessee and grew up to coach at University of Hennessee. I accumulated several awards throughout my career, but mostly I like to think I inspired not just women but everyone to be the best person they can be. Here are some of my more notable quotes:
- Sometimes you have to let your emotions out, so you can think clearly again.
- Attitude is a choice. Think positive thoughts daily.
- It’s what you learn after you know it all that counts.
- The absolute heart of loyalty is to value those people who tell you the truth, not just those people who tell you what you want to hear.
- Challenge yourself to be better than you were yesterday.
- Discipline helps you finish a job, and finishing is what separates excellent work from average work.
- Pressure is what you feel when you don’t know what’s going on.
- Change equals self-improvement. Push yourself to places you haven’t been before.
- If you don’t have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?
- Don’t waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window or break down the door.
- Success is about building a relationship with yourself. It’s always about trusting yourself, loving yourself, and never giving up on yourself.
- What you do today will have an impact on someone’s tomorrow.
Henna Featherling (Kathy - owner)
I’m famous for the beautiful colors of my glorious feathers. All the ladies say the colors of my feathers are so beautiful. I am known far and wide for strutting my tail feathers!
I’m always asked about my glorious feathers and their special colors. My answer is— only my feather dresser knows for sure. ;) I am going to a very special home where I am sure to make someone very happy.
Little Enton (Ellen - owner)
My chicken honors a beloved childhood pet named Little Enton. She laid an egg every day and made her happy hen sounds. She followed me everywhere while I did farm chores. She would eat bugs and scratch grass.
One day she disappeared and we had a great coq de vin the following Sunday. Her life was useful to the end and will always be a special memory in my heart.
Miss Henple (Bookish Beverly - owner)
Some of you may be familiar with Miss Marple— the sleuth from Agatha Christie mysteries. Not as well-known is the detective of The Wooden Needle— Miss Henple. Like Miss Marple, Miss Henple sits and knits while the world goes on around her. Because she is an older hen, folks don’t pay much attention to her, but that’s just fine with Miss Henple.
Fading into the background makes it easy for Miss Henple to sit unnoticed in her nesting box. However, a little old hen can see and hear a good deal. She knows when chocolate is missing. She sees when another project has been started (even though there are several that remain unfinished). She notices those purple bags leaving the store.
If you are a customer/friend of TWN, don’t worry. Miss Henple knows how to be discreet and keep her beak closed— unless it’s about the body buried in the backyard, but that’s a different story for another time.
Hermina Hen-mes (Boss Lady Gayla - owner)
Hermina Hen-mes is named after a little towheaded blonde that was born on a small farm in Moddersville, Michigan.
Hermina moved south to Helena, Arkansas to oversee the grandchildren and great grandchildren of the little towheaded blonde. This family, who loves her dearly, consists of one Daddy, one Momma, and one young girl (along with a few brothers who visit now and then). She has a brood of chickens, a few turkeys, and three dogs to keep in line, and she does a great job of overseeing everything. She loves to sit with the little girl or snuggle with Momma. Hermina could not be happier. Well, maybe if she had a few chicks of her own. Grannie will have to see about making that happen.
Binding off~
Silly? No doubt about it! Waste of time? Definitely not! We joined together with our customer/friends to knit chickens. Does that make each one of us as crazy as a bedbug? Considering the knitting skill, creativity, laughter, and fun that came from knitting chickens, it might just be one of the best projects we’ve ever done together. Life is hard; friends and fun can help. If things are difficult right now, we recommend knitting a chicken. You might be surprised by the smiles it brings!
Take care---
~the crew @ TWN