Chicken man nests well in midst of Bobcat's den

by KRISTIN GORDON
THE POST

When it comes to meeting new people, Ohio University freshman Ben Wrasman is a chicken.

That is, many people on campus and Uptown might know him as the "chicken man." It's not unusual to see Wrasman, 18, from Kenton, Ohio, donning a bright yellow chicken costume, complete with feathers, beak, tights and webbed feet.

"Whenever I get the urge, like if I'm just sitting around, I suit up and go on my way," he said.

Originally, he bought the costume to wear to his senior prom - complete with a tuxedo tailored to fit over its fluffy feathers. He ordered it off the Internet from Bad Planet, an online costume supply store that offers the four-piece chicken suit for $119, according to its Web site (www.badplanet.com).

"It was sort-of expensive," Wrasman said of the ensemble, which ended up costing him about $131 with shipping. "So when I was getting ready to come to college, I packed it. I figured I could put it to some good use."

The first weekend he was in Athens, Wrasman, an undecided major who lives in East Green's Washington Hall, hit the four floors of his residence hall, determined to make friends.

And although Wrasman does not claim to be close to his RA or roommate, his attempt was well-received with Dustin Mahrt, another RA in Washington Hall.

His outings as "chicken man" have had more benefits than just making new friends.

"It's a free ticket to parties," Wrasman said.

Some of his outings in the feathered costumes have warranted invitations to after-hours by hanging around Uptown.

"It's just cool to walk around and say 'hi' to people," he said. "It's something to do."

But some of his spectators have seemed a little scared of Wrasman when he is in full suit as the bird, he said. And he said he does not really find his hobby unusual or exciting.

"A lot of people Uptown seemed confused," he said. "In the dorms, they're more laid back."

Other downfalls are the intense heat of the costume when he is wearing it. Underneath, Wrasman only can stand to wear a T-shirt and shorts, he said as he put the costume's rubber mask on over his head.

Wrasman is not sure when the next outing will be for the "chicken man." But spectators are most likely to find him relaxing outside Washington Hall with a cigarette in his beak or on Court Street during the Halloween celebration.

Construction has already begun for a leather suit that flatters large yellow feathers.