“compiled: Elmili TK”
DES MOINES, Iowa — In a surreal twist to an age-old punchline, a real chicken recently crossed the road and ended up at the doorstep of a Buffalo Wild Wings in Des Moines — sparking confusion, laughter, and an unexpected rescue mission.
The feathered visitor was spotted earlier this week pecking curiously near the entrance of the sports bar chain on SE 14th Street. With the smell of fried wings in the air, the hen wandered dangerously close to the fryer — a place no chicken should ever find itself.
A concerned passerby alerted the Animal Rescue League (ARL) of Iowa, the state’s largest nonprofit animal shelter. An animal services officer was swiftly dispatched, ultimately corralling the hen in the parking lot and ensuring her safety.
“WHAT THE CLUCK?” the ARL quipped in a social media post, sharing photos of the unusual roundup. “Talk about a chicken on the wrong side of the road.”
Though the scene prompted plenty of online jokes, the ARL reminded followers that the situation could have ended far worse. “She came within wing’s reach of becoming someone’s appetizer,” an ARL spokesperson said.
The mystery of how the hen ended up at Buffalo Wild Wings remains unsolved. She may have escaped from a nearby home or farm — or simply wandered too far from her coop. Fortunately, she’s now in the care of the ARL, where she’ll be evaluated before potentially being placed for adoption.
“She’s not available just yet,” the shelter noted, “but we have plenty of other barnyard buddies looking for forever homes — all adopted out strictly as family pets.”
One staff member jokingly suggested naming her “Choses” — a mashup of “chicken” and “Moses” — for parting traffic and escaping deep-fried destiny.
While the hen offered no comment on her motives, her close call serves as a reminder that even the most comical encounters can carry a meaningful message about compassion and second chances — preferably far from the fryer.
