The Fort Thomas community has been closely following sightings of an “escape chicken” for the last 10 days. The owner contacted LINK nky today to let us know the chicken – whose name is Bubbles – has been captured and is safe.
“I am the owner of the chicken that has been running around Fort Thomas,” said Emily Bankemper in the email. “I am happy to report that we have captured her and brought her back home.”
The saga appears to have begun around July 19, when a resident posted in Fort Thomas’ Facebook group that “There is a black hen or rooster on S Grand by urgent care if you lost yours!”
Later in the day on July 19, another resident reported seeing the chicken on Grand Avenue in front of St. Elizabeth.
“I saw this yesterday [sic] 2 cops on it,” someone replied. “They did not catch it.”
Another person quipped, “Did it cross the road?”
There weren’t any additional sightings for a couple of days, when a different resident posted a photo of the chicken with the caption “The escape chicken is back out in front of the entrance to St E across from Graeter’s. Tried to get him, but he didn’t want to come, and I didn’t want to go in traffic.”
The post received more than 40 comments, with many residents trying to find ways to safely catch the chicken to attempt to find its owner.
“If anyone is able to catch him or can message me when he’s out there, I can come help and I know someone with a ton that would give him a good home,” one comment said.
A few days later, LINK nky Digital Editor Maggy McDonel spotted the chicken in a similar area.
“My husband and I just saw it in the same place,” McDonel commented on the post. “We tried to grab it but it ran away. Seems very sweet.”
One person said they saw a post with suggestions on how to catch the chicken in case others came across it.
“Hint: fishing dipnet,” the comment said. “The longer handle the better. Easiest grab is a leg but when you pick it up, try to hold both legs. Once upside down, she’ll calm right down. A little grain, birdseed, cherry tomatoes, brad or berries will get you closer to her. Good luck.”
On July 27, another person posted about the chicken on the Facebook page.
“At this point, I think the Grand Avenue chicken needs to become the official mascot of the city,” the post said. More than 115 people reacted to the post.
“I don’t think I’ve ever read a post that I support more,” one person commented.
On July 28, a video was posted of the chicken crossing the road (literally).
The search for the chicken now knows as Bubbles even began to inspire memes. “Your childhood was not complete unless you’ve been chased by a rooster,” said one.
