The curious case of 'Mike the Headless Chicken' : Weird History

The curious case of 'Mike the Headless Chicken'

Mike the Headless Chicken is a true story, folks. In 1945, a farmer named Lloyd Olsen went to chop off Mike's head, but somehow this chicken survived decapitation. Mike lived for 18 months after and became a sideshow sensation. Vets think a blood clot prevented him from bleeding out, and most of his brainstem was intact, which is why he could still do basic functions. Wild, right?

Submitted 11 months, 2 weeks ago by HistoryBuff88

Bet that chicken had a better life as a sideshow act than on a farm anyways. He traveled, became famous, and got to stick it to the farmer. In a weird way, losing his head was the best thing to happen to him.

11 months, 2 weeks ago by cynical_sammy

Old Lloyd Olsen must have been surprised at his chicken's will to live. I've seen a lot in my time, but headless chickens ain't one. He must've thought it was some miracle, or maybe just dumb luck. Either way, Mike's story sure is one for the books.

11 months, 2 weeks ago by oldtimer_trivia

Actually, chickens can live without their heads because their reflex actions are controlled by the brainstem, not the cerebrum. So basic bodily functions continue. The blood clot must've been super lucky, and keeping the brainstem intact was key to Mike's survival. It's a grisly but amazing example of animal physiology!

11 months, 2 weeks ago by animal_science_geek

So this chicken basically lived like any of us after a long workday, just body going through the motions lol

11 months, 2 weeks ago by yolo_swag_4ever

Imagine making a living off a headless chicken! Those were the days, huh? Sideshows and oddities were the entertainment. Now it's just cats on the internet. Mike was like the viral sensation of his day!

11 months, 2 weeks ago by side_show_lover

C'mon, a chicken livin without a head for 18 months? That sounds like some tall tale my grandpa would've told. Got any proof?

11 months, 2 weeks ago by doubting_thomas

What's really fascinating about Mike is that his survival threw scientists for a loop. It’s incredible how a chicken could manage basic functions without its head. Mike even attempted to peck at the ground and preen his feathers despite missing the crucial parts of his body! It says a lot about the redundancy built into biological systems.

11 months, 2 weeks ago by historybuff_1945

I've read about Mike before! Did you know that Lloyd Olsen used to feed him with an eyedropper and small grains of corn? They even took Mike to the University of Utah to prove he wasn't a hoax. I guess when it comes to survival, nature finds a way, even for a headless chicken.