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Grave of the plastic legged rooster.

Grave of Mr. Chicken the Plastic-Legged Rooster

Field review by the editors.

Jackson, Michigan

Died 1997

Pet Cemetery.

Another winter, another Midwest animal casualty. It was December, 1996. The victim was a rooster. He was left outside in a storm, and his two feet were frozen beyond repair. Fortunately for posterity, the rooster was befriended by a local vet, Tim England. Tim named him "Mr. Chicken"; and had a physical therapist make a pair of acrylic legs and feet for the rooster that fit snugly over his stumps.

Mr. Chicken 1996-1997.

Mr. Chicken became an instant feel-good celebrity. His story was told in Newsweek and in newspapers from South Africa to Hawaii. But only six months later, in June, 1997, Mr. Chicken was mauled to death, probably by a raccoon, as he tried to protect the chickens who shared his pen. He died with his plastic legs on, and that was the way that he was buried, in the animal hospital's flower garden, with a small headstone. "He was a famous little guy," Dr. England said.

Dr. England still has a file full of letters from people who wrote in to express sympathy for Mr. Chicken. One woman from South Africa even wrote a poem. But, he reports, "We have not had a special needs chicken since then."

Also see: Mascots | Roadside Pet Cemetery

Grave of Mr. Chicken the Plastic-Legged Rooster

Crossroads Animal Hospital

Address:
3232 N. Dettman Rd, Jackson, MI
Directions:
Crossroads Animal Hospital. I-94 exit 142 (US Hwy 127). Drive south. Take the first exit (Michigan Ave.). Go west on Michigan, then take first right on North Dettman Rd. This takes you back up and over I-94. The Animal Hospital is just to the north of I-94, on the left. The grave is to the right of the building, in the back yard, by the interstate.
Phone:
517-781-1111
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Nearby Offbeat Places

Birthplace of the Republican PartyBirthplace of the Republican Party, Jackson, MI - 4 mi.
Big Old ShoeBig Old Shoe, Jackson, MI - 5 mi.
The Jackson CascadesThe Jackson Cascades, Jackson, MI - 5 mi.
In the region:
Mystery Hill, Onsted, MI - 19 mi.

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