Photos

Missing St. Marys chicken mascot returns

Photo provided to Parkersburg News and Sentinel Chuck the Chicken, who many considered the unofficial greeter for the town of St. Marys, was returned Tuesday to its owner after being missing for over a week.
Photo provided to Parkersburg News and Sentinel
Chuck the Chicken, who many considered the unofficial greeter for the town of St. Marys, was returned Tuesday to its owner after being missing for over a week.

ST. MARYS, W.Va. — Chuck the Chicken has come home to roost.

The chicken, many considered the unofficial greeter for the town of St. Marys, was returned Tuesday to its owner Sheila Smith after being missing for over a week.

“I got in at home (Tuesday) morning and got a call from a lady who said she picked Chuck up out of concern for her safety,” Smith said. “Her daughter raised chickens. They were concerned and took Chuck home.”

Chuck the Chicken went missing sometime Monday, Sept. 22 after being seen on George Street next to Smith Candy. Some people have told Smith they thought they saw someone walking off with it.

Calls to help find Chuck, an Americana Mix breed, went out on Chuck’s Facebook page, stories were done in local media and Smith put fliers up around town.

Smith said it was a flier at Candy Your Nails nail salon that led the person to contact her and to return Chuck.

“I am very excited,” Smith said. “Everyone is just tickled to death that Chuck is back.”

Chuck was hatched Easter Sunday. After initially trying to incorporate the chicken into a farm coop, Smith brought her back to town and became a pet at her home. Smith would let Chuck roam around the yard and over time it ventured farther and farther away.

The chicken would make its way to Family Hair Care, Candy Your Nails nail salon and Smith Candy.

For many people, Chuck was a downtown staple with many people posting pictures of the chicken on Facebook and elsewhere.

Smith said many people have stopped by her home Tuesday to see Chuck and to check up on her well-being.

“Everyone is very excited,” Smith said.

Smith said she might try to better contain Chuck at her house. She is considering taking her back to a farm, but nothing definite has been decided yet.

At one point, Smith did not think she would see Chuck again. However, the community came through from the people who took care of Chuck to those who helped find her.

“It really says a lot of people in St. Marys,” she said. “This is a wonderful little town.

“I am proud to live here.”

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