Ernie the Giant Chicken met his end in Season 23 of Family Guy after being killed by Meg Griffin.
As the long-running animated series gears up for its 24th season, fans have been wondering if the infamous bird might make a surprise return.
However, it seems Ernie’s death is permanent. Executive producer Alec Sulkin told TVLine, “I think that the chicken has gone the way of all flesh.”
He continued, “Honestly, we got so many great set pieces out of the giant chicken fights with Peter that they just became hard to top. It’s a lot to ask of our production crew, and I think we may have gotten the best out of that character.”
Ernie the Giant Chicken has been a staple of Family Guy since Season 1, serving as Peter Griffin’s longtime nemesis. His story came to an end when Meg Griffin killed him in the episode “The Chicken or the Meg.”
In the episode, Ernie gives Meg an ultimatum—either end her relationship with his son, Nugget, or cut ties with her father, Peter.
Unimpressed by her options, Meg realizes that Ernie and Peter share more in common than she thought. In a moment of clarity—and frustration—she chooses neither, instead decapitating Ernie and putting an end to the feud once and for all.
While it’s possible Ernie could make a comeback in Season 24—given that Family Guy has brought several “dead” characters back before, including Peter, Brian, and Stewie Griffin—some characters have stayed gone for good. One example is Stewie’s rival, Doug, who was killed in a plane crash back in Season 21.
The hit Fox series is scheduled to return in 2026. In the meantime, fans can catch the Halloween special A Little Fright Music streaming on Hulu starting Monday, with the show’s Christmas special set to follow soon after.
