Or we would interpret what we see as small chicken puppets. Their actual physical form is the cause of the Q's massive inferiority complex, it's why they feel justified in tormenting others and engaging in aggressive behavior to compensation. It's why they brag, boast and threaten.
I see what you did there. I actually liked the small chicken puppets that turned to smoke. I thought they were a great FX for the time and budget. Of course, the first time I saw them was watching a B&W TV