Snoqualmie resident Fred Seeman never thought he’d be babysitting a chicken.

But Seeman opened his home Tuesday evening, Dec. 29, to a fancy-looking show bird he found lost in downtown Snoqualmie. Seeman planned to house the fowl until its owner could be found.

Seeman was walking north on Beta Street when the bird approached him from under an apple tree. At first, Seeman was startled, not sure what kind of creature approached him — this chicken sports orange, black-tipped feathers, gray feet and a puffy black Afro.

“I knew it wasn’t a bear or a cougar,” Seeman joked. “I reached out and I petted him, and I brought him home. I don’t want him to get hit by a car or freeze to death.”

Raised on a farm, Seeman said the only chickens he is familiar with are fryers.

“He’s gorgeous,” Seeman said. “He ain’t no deep fryer. That ain’t no $2 chicken.”

Seeman is pretty sure the bird is a rooster.

“He’s got two red beards,” he said.

Seeman fed the bird some bread crumbs and allowed it to perch on his armchair. The 140-pound family dog, Casper, sniffed the bird but was minding his manners.

The bird softly clucked from his chair.

“He’s been talking up a storm,” Seeman said. “He sat right down on my lap. You can tell he’s a pet.”

Anyone who knows who the bird belongs to can call Seeman at (425) 292-0635.

For now, the spare bedroom will be turned over to the fowl. Seeman hopes to send the bird home soon.

“I don’t know if I can handle a chicken and a dog running around the house,” he said.