It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s… a chicken with no head? If you have ever visited the town of Fruita, Colorado, the answer is yes: that is indeed a headless chicken! However, it isn’t just any headless chicken, but Mike, whose story is as unique as the statue itself:

Once upon a time, there was a chicken who lived on a farm and, like most chickens, made its way to the butcher block. However, instead of ending up on the dinner table, "Mike" managed to survive his beheading.
Mike The Headless Chicken Facebook
What is one to do when a headless chicken is wandering around? Turn it into a sideshow exhibit, of course, which is exactly what happened to Mike, who - at one point - brought in a whopping $4,500 per month ($47,700 today)!
Mike The Headless Chicken Facebook
How did Mike survive without his head? Since the ax missed the jugular vein, most of the chicken's brain stem stayed intact, which allowed the chicken to live a somewhat normal life.
Mike The Headless Chicken Facebook

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Fed a diet of milk, water, and small grains of corn, Mike lived 18 months without his head and now lives in infamy via a 5-foot-tall metal statue in the heart of Fruita.
Flickr/David Herrera
In addition to the statue, Mike's hometown pays homage to the peculiar fowl via the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival, consisting of a 5K, Peeps eating contest, live music, and more.
Mike The Headless Chicken Facebook
To learn more about this Centennial State legend, please visit Mike the Headless Chicken's website.
Mike The Headless Chicken Facebook

Do you have a favorite attraction, event, or restaurant that you would like to see featured on Only in Colorado? Remember to nominate it here! For even more to see and do around Fruita, check out A Trip To An Outdoor Paradise In Colorado, Fruita, May Just Be The Perfect Long Weekend Getaway.

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Featured Addresses
Mike the Headless Chicken Statue, 128 E Aspen Ave, Fruita, CO 81521, USA