Sep 15, 2026

News from the Flock: An Update from Heartbeet

A few weeks ago, we shared the story of a rather unusual flock preparing to make its way north to Vermont. It touched the hearts of many Thistlers, and we heard from so many of you who were moved by the care behind this project.

A Flock with a Herat: Bound for Heartbeet

Read the Original Story

Now we have the update we had all been hoping for: the Emotional Support Chickens have arrived at Heartbeet Lifesharing and found their new people!

Our own Martha, together with Lynn and Judy, donated their yarn, time, and knitting to create the flock for Heartbeet's residents. Martha's daughter is one of the friends at Heartbeet, and what began with her wish to offer a little steadiness during a season of change grew into a shared undertaking between three generous makers.

Seeing these chickens now in the arms of their recipients makes us appreciate their work all over again. Hours of knitting, sewing, stuffing, and finishing have become companions with names, homes, and new perches.

A group of Heartbeet residents on a stage, holding their knitted chickens and smiling at the audience.

Martha, one of the makers behind the flock, can be spotted in the center of the back row, smiling right along with everyone else.

Heartbeet Lifesharing is a residential community where people of different ages, abilities, and skills share in the work and interests of everyday life, including gardening, farming, music, art, theater, and textiles. Each person is encouraged to participate, learn, contribute, and develop their own interests as part of community life.

The chickens were knitted in West Yorkshire Spinners Retreat using Annette Corsino's much-loved Emotional Support Chicken design. They were always meant to be held, carried about, and kept close, and these photographs bring that purpose into view better than we ever could.

We are deeply grateful to Martha, Lynn, and Judy for giving their hands and hours so generously, and to Heartbeet for allowing us to share this story with our Thistler community. Thank you, too, to everyone who wrote to us after the first chapter. It meant a great deal to know that this little flock reached far beyond Vermont before the chickens had even arrived.

Now they are home, each with a person of their own, and we couldn't have asked for a happier landing.