THE HEN WHO STARTED IT ALL

It’s Fifi

Long before there was Fifi's Finest, there was Fifi. A little black hen with big opinions and a remarkable talent for getting her way.

Fifi came home from Tractor Supply in 2022, when home happened to be a Silver Eagle tour bus parked on the property of a goat and sheep rescue. It was during those bus days that Fifi's Finest began as a little roadside egg stand. From bus chicken to our first house chicken, Fifi didn't simply adapt to life with us. She had a way of making us adapt to life with her.

As Fifi grew, one of her legs became fused at an angle. Some chicken keepers questioned her quality of life, believing she'd struggle to get around and become a target for bullying.

They were wrong. Very wrong.

Fifi ran the coop. Very few dared to pick on her. She even befriended the ducks and turkey, who became her unlikely bodyguards. Being small enough to hide underneath them certainly had its advantages.

We made adjustments to the coop so Fifi could move around comfortably and independently. But practical accommodations were only the beginning. She also enjoyed regular spa days, complete with baths, grooming, and plenty of pampering. She absolutely loved the attention.

Life with Fifi came with its own routines, and she made sure we followed them. Every morning, as I made my way into the living room with breakfast, I'd say, "Hi Fifi!" Right on cue, a curious little head would pop up from her box, hoping for the last bite. I'm fairly certain she learned that trick from the dog. You could always tell when she especially enjoyed a treat by the way she smacked her lips.

During the day, we'd take her outside to soak up the sunshine and simply be a chicken. Come evening, she'd plant herself in the middle of the yard and bawk at me, as if there were any chance I'd forget her. Picking her up always came with "Zee Fifi, going up!" Just before settling her into her box, I'd announce in my most dramatic French accent, "Zee Fifi has arrived!" She'd answer with a few quick bawks of her own.

She was spoiled, opinionated, affectionate, and completely convinced the world revolved around her. And in our home, she wasn't entirely wrong.

During some of my hardest days, Fifi was a constant source of comfort, laughter, and inspiration. Caring for her gave me something to look forward to, and finding new ways to make her life better became something I genuinely loved.

Fifi had a taste for the finer things in life. From her spa days to her special accommodations, she enjoyed every bit of the attention and pampering she received. And as far as I was concerned, she deserved nothing less than the finest.

Although Fifi is no longer here to supervise, her influence is everywhere. What began as a little roadside egg stand is growing into something new, inspired by the love, creativity, and care that went into giving Fifi the life she deserved.