Don't forget bird flu killed chickens in the millions recently, either by the disease or by culling. Kids and anyone who likes these animals were saddened even distressed. Knitting chickens may have started from an expression of respect and admiration for the chicken when so many were being destroyed.

Having been around backyard chickens a bit, including those with funny names, they do have individual "personality". When they die of old age, or because a hawk gets into the chicken coop, it's a sad day.