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History Of Conifer's 4-Legged Chicken
Walter E Fields, oldest son of George C & Theresia Fields of Conifer, Colorado, was a farmer in Johnstown, CO. A part of his farm activities was raising chickens and what a surprise he had the day a strange hatchling was there before his eyes. As he studied the chick closer, he discovered the new chick had 4 legs. What to do now?
In the late 1930’s this was a seldom heard of occurrence. When the chick was about 6 months old (now a full-grown chicken) Walter took it to his local vet. Upon inspection, the vet informed Walter the chicken was not likely to survive.
With this news, Walter decided to have the chicken killed and stuffed. Not certain if his wife would let him display it in their home, he spoke with his mother, Theresia, and they decided the best place for it would be at the family store, Fields Trading Post located in Conifer. The chicken was placed on top of one of the store display cabinets and there it sat for years. Theresia eventually had a glass display cover made for it to protect it from dust and curious hands.
Family members remember the many persons who were amazed by the site on their visit to the store and it became the talk of the Conifer community. Even today, family friends and locals speak of their memories of the 4-legged chicken.
The chicken remained in the store on that cabinet until Theresia retired and moved. The chicken was moved back to Walter’s home in Johnstown. Eventually, Walter’s oldest daughter laid claim to the chicken and moved it to her home in Weld County, but it will forever remain a Conifer marvel.
