The story behind the Christmas Chickens…

Growing up, we lived on a dead end dirt road in the willy wacks of Maine. The public road ended before our driveway, with one more neighbor a half mile further into the woods. This neighbor, built and lived in a traditional log cabin, and every fall, they would harvest boughs from the surrounding evergreens, lining their lob cabin walls with Christmas wreaths as they finished making them. Wreaths from scratch were their holiday gift to their friends and family, and for several years, I would head next door to help them.

One year, one of my pet chickens found its way up to our back deck, and upon waiting for me to come out and play with her, she decided to make herself a cozy, nestling into the middle of the wreath hanging from our door. It was a funny moment, that quickly turned into an exciting and laughable tradition.

Every year that followed, when the last of the ribbons would be adorned to the wreaths, I would return home, collecting my favorite 3-4 chickens. One tucked under each arm, the others roosting on my shoulders, I would sling my camera from my neck and hike back down the road. The chickens would leisurely relax into the thick wreaths to model while I took silly photos of them.

These quickly became Christmas cards, and soon I had local shops calling with requests to sell them and the local paper wanting to write a festive article about the ornamental chickens who contributed in the holiday traditions.

It’s been 9 years since I moved back to Michigan. Without having chickens of my own anymore, the Christmas Chickens traditions ceased, become an amusing story for listeners. Until this year.

I was photographing an equine portrait session, and became distracted by the clients adorable coop and yard filled with a variety of chickens. The client, Anna, cheerfully told stories of her girls, and how much the pet chickens mean to her family. I knew immediately that I wanted to recreate the Christmas Chickens tradition, and Anna jumped at the opportunity to have her chickens model!

It was an afternoon of laughter, while we wrangled the ladies, snuggled and sweet talked to them, and photographed individuals nestled in a wreath I made the day prior. It was 100% worth it for the entertainment, and I can’t help but smile when I look back on these photos!

And of course a few bloopers! 😆