Like a Chicken With it's Head Cut Off, Literally.

September 10th, 1945 finds a strapping (but tender) five and a half month old Wyandotte rooster pecking through the dust of Fruita, Colorado. The unsuspecting bird had never looked so delicious as he did that, now famous, day. Clara Olsen was planning on featuring the plump chicken in the evening meal. Husband Lloyd Olsen was sent out, on a very routine mission, to prepare the designated fryer for the pan. Nothing about this task turned out to be routine. Lloyd knew his Mother in Law would be dining with them and would savor the neck. He positioned his ax precisely, estimating just the right tolerances, to leave a generous neck bone. "It was as important to Suck-Up to your Mother in Law in the 40's as it is today." A skillful blow was executed and the chicken staggered around like most freshly terminated poultry.

Then the determined bird shook off the traumatic event and never looked back. Mike (it is unclear when the famous rooster took on the name) returned to his job of being a chicken. He pecked for food and preened his feathers just like the rest of his barnyard buddies.

And so, Mike the headless chicken lived on for another 18 months after that. Scientists concluded that the jugular had not been completely (or properly) severed when Olsen delivered the usually fatal blow, and that a clot had formed to prevent the chicken from bleeding to death. They also discovered that much of his brain stem was still intact, and since the brain stem controls most of a chickens' reflex actions Mike was able to stay in a fairly healthy state.

For more on Mike the Headless Chicken visit his official website, and if you happen to be in (or near) Fruita, Colorado around the third weekend in May be sure to stop by and enjoy "Mike's Festival."

Join us in beautiful Fruita,Colorado and enjoy -

Chicken, A Huge Car Show, Great Music & Entertainment, Chicken Dance Contest, Chicken Recipe Contest, Food and Craft Vendors, More Chicken, the 5k "Run Like a Headless Chicken", Chicken Games, Historic Tours, Eating Contests, Mike's Market and more. Great Family Fun! Attending this fun, family event is a NO BRAINER!