Why did the Puffer Chicken cross the brook?
To escape the many predators craving its delicious, beet-flavored flesh, of course!
If you’re wondering, “What the heck is a Puffer Chicken?” you’re not alone.
This whimsical hybrid—a stout, spherical creature with the face and legs of a chicken and the inflated body of a pufferfish—is the creation of Brattleboro, Vermont artist Cynthia Parker-Houghton. Cynthia first imagined the Puffer Chicken in 2018, sculpting it into existence with a little bit of papier-mache, and more than a little creativity.
As the creature came to life, an important question arose: Why don’t we see Puffer Chickens anymore? (See ‘The Legend of the Puffer Chicken’ below)
The answer? Despite evolving spines to deter predators, the Puffer Chicken’s sweet, beet-flavored meat made it irresistible. Over time, they were thought to have gone extinct.
The only known photos of the Puffer Chicken in the wild, courtesy of the University of Brattleboro Paranormal Paleontology Department—a playful, fictitious institution created by Rolf and Cynthia Parker-Houghton to showcase their many imaginative community projects.
Thanks to the talents of Cynthia and her husband, Rolf Parker-Houghton, the Puffer Chicken lives on in art, creative writing, and the annual Beet & Puffer Chicken Feastival.
Held each spring, this event began as a way to bring joy and laughter to the community while honoring those no longer with us.
This year’s Festival will take place on April 19th at the Whetstone footbridge, adjacent to the Brattleboro Food Co-op. Some of the many highlights will include:
A Puffer Chicken repopulation egg float fundraiser
Meet and greet for community and local farmers
Free beet seeds and educational materials for kids to grow their own "faux Puffer Chicken meat" (aka beets!)
With a little humor and a whole lot of creativity, the Puffer Chicken has evolved into a mythical symbol of resilience, community, and local agriculture. The concept demonstrates that, with a bit of outside-the-box thinking, there are infinite possibilities for connecting a community to local food.
By introducing this imaginative idea, the Parker-Houghtons hope to inspire attendees to enjoy the outdoors and each other—whether launching eggs over the falls in the Whetstone Brook or tending to the cherished crop of the legendary Puffer Chicken in their own gardens.
The Legend of the Mythical Puffer Chicken
Like any legend, many iterations of the Puffer Chicken story exist. The University of Brattleboro invites you to create your own origin story of the Puffer Chicken. Share your own Puffer Chicken Origin story in the comments below or share them with the University of Brattleboro Facebook Page!