Imagine a chicken living for 18 months without a head-sounds impossible, right? Yet, this is the astonishing true story of Mike the Headless Chicken, a Wyandotte rooster who defied nature and lived long after a botched beheading. One of the most curious questions about Mike is: how did he eat without a head? Let’s dive into the fascinating details of Mike’s survival and how he was fed during his extraordinary life.
The Beheading That Didn’t End It All
On September 10, 1945, farmer Lloyd Olsen from Fruita, Colorado, was preparing dinner for his family and planned to serve chicken. He chose Mike, a five-and-a-half-month-old rooster, to be the meal. However, when Lloyd swung the axe, he missed the jugular vein and left most of Mike’s brain stem intact, along with one ear. This crucial part of the brain controls basic functions like breathing and swallowing, which allowed Mike to survive the initial beheading.
Despite losing most of his head, Mike was able to maintain balance, walk clumsily, and even attempt to peck and crow, though his crow was more of a gurgling sound. The next morning, instead of finding Mike dead, Lloyd discovered him alive and surprisingly calm, tucked under a wing with his neck resting comfortably.
How Mike Ate Without a Mouth
Without a head, Mike obviously couldn’t eat or drink in the usual way. His owners had to get creative to keep him alive. They fed Mike by dripping a mixture of milk and water directly into his esophagus using an eyedropper. This method bypassed the need for a beak or mouth to pick up food.
Mike’s throat was kept clear of mucus and other blockages by regularly removing it with a syringe, ensuring he could breathe and swallow without choking. This careful feeding routine was essential for Mike’s survival and allowed him to gain weight-from a scrawny two pounds to almost eight pounds during his time on tour.
Why Did Mike Survive So Long?
The secret to Mike’s survival lies in the anatomy of a chicken’s brain. Unlike mammals, much of a chicken’s brain is located at the back of the head, near the neck. Because Lloyd’s axe missed the brain stem, Mike retained the vital centers that control respiration, heartbeat, and reflexes like swallowing.
This meant Mike could perform basic life functions without a head, but he still needed help with feeding and clearing his throat. His survival was a rare combination of anatomy and attentive care from his owners.
Mike’s Life After the Beheading
Once it was clear Mike was alive and well, Lloyd Olsen decided to care for him. Mike became a local celebrity, drawing crowds who paid to see the miraculous headless chicken. His fame grew, and he was taken on a national tour, appearing at fairs and carnivals across the United States-and even in Europe.
Mike’s handlers continued to feed him with the eyedropper method, making sure he got enough nutrients to stay healthy. Remarkably, Mike did not just survive; he thrived, gaining weight and living an active life despite his unusual condition.
The End of Mike’s Incredible Journey
Mike’s story came to a tragic end in March 1947, about 18 months after his beheading. While on tour in Phoenix, Arizona, Mike began choking on mucus that had accumulated in his throat. Unfortunately, his owners had accidentally left the syringe used to clear his throat behind at the sideshow. Without this crucial tool, they were unable to help Mike, and he suffocated quietly in a motel room.
Why Mike’s Story Still Captivates Us
Mike’s survival challenges our understanding of biology and resilience. His story is a testament to the complexity of life and how sometimes, nature throws us a curveball. Today, Fruita, Colorado, honors Mike every May with a festival celebrating the miraculous headless chicken.
Mike also reminds us of the phrase “running around like a chicken with its head cut off,” giving it a literal and unforgettable meaning. His tale is not just about survival but also about determination, care, and the unexpected wonders of life.
Mike the Headless Chicken survived because his brain stem remained intact, allowing him to breathe and swallow reflexively. His owners fed him by dripping liquid food directly into his esophagus with an eyedropper and cleared mucus from his throat to keep him alive. This unique feeding method kept Mike going for 18 months, making him a legendary symbol of resilience.