Retirees knit jumpers to keep chickens warm
A Massachusetts retirement home has partnered with a local non-profit centre to knit jumpers for chickens to keep them warm.
The winters in New England are particularly fierce and the cold can affect the health and egg-laying abilities of the chickens.
The knitted jumpers keep chickens warms outside, especially the breeds that shed their feathers and grow new plumes during the course of winter.
Knitter Libby Kaplan told ABC 13 News, "When they said they were gonna make these sweaters for the chickens, I thought it was the most foolish thing I had ever heard in my life and everybody that I told laughed at me. They couldn't believe it, but we made the sweaters for the chickens and I'm glad that we did."
"I don't think in my wildest dreams I ever thought anybody made sweaters for chickens," said 76-year-old Barbara Widmayer. "It was actually very calming to me to work on this."
Local farmers have reported an uptick in eggs so the chickens must be happy and warm in their cosy jumpers.