Mike the Headless Chicken: 18 Months Headless

Mike the Headless Chicken Lived 18 Months Without a Head

8k views·Posted 9 years ago·Updated 1 hour ago

In 1945, a young rooster in Fruita, Colorado became one of the most bizarre medical anomalies in history. Farmer Lloyd Olsen went to slaughter Mike for dinner, but his axe missed the jugular vein and left most of the brainstem intact. The chicken didn't die.

Mike woke up the next morning, attempted to preen his non-existent head, and tried to crow—producing only a gurgling sound from his open neck. Olsen decided to keep him alive.

How Did He Survive?

The brainstem controls most of a chicken's essential functions. Mike retained:

Reflex actions like balance and movement
Basic survival instincts including sleeping and attempting to peck
One ear, still attached to a fragment of skull
Enough of the jugular vein to prevent fatal blood loss

A blood clot formed immediately, preventing Mike from bleeding out. His remaining brain tissue was sufficient to keep his body functioning on autopilot.

Life Without a Head

Olsen fed Mike with an eyedropper, squirting liquid food and water directly down his esophagus. The chicken maintained his weight at around 8 pounds and even gained a few ounces. He'd "peck" for food and groom his neck stump like he still had a head to clean.

Scientists at the University of Utah examined Mike and confirmed he was genuinely headless—not a hoax or trick. The university estimated Mike had lost about 80% of his brain, but the critical 20% remained operational.

Fame and Fortune

Lloyd Olsen took Mike on tour across America. At the peak of his fame, Mike earned $4,500 per month (about $73,000 today) from sideshow appearances. He was featured in Time and Life magazines. People paid 25 cents to see "Mike the Headless Wonder Chicken" at carnivals and exhibitions.

The Olsen family was insured Mike for $10,000—a small fortune in the 1940s.

The End Comes in Phoenix

In March 1947, Mike began choking on mucus in a Phoenix motel room. The Olsens had accidentally left their feeding and cleaning syringes at the previous day's show. Unable to clear his esophagus, Mike asphyxiated. He'd survived 18 months without a head—only to die from a clogged throat.

Fruita, Colorado still celebrates Mike every May with a festival featuring games, music, and the "Run Like a Headless Chicken" 5K race. The town erected a monument to their most famous resident—a chicken who refused to accept that being beheaded was supposed to be fatal.

Mike proved that chickens really can survive without most of their brains. They just can't survive without an eyedropper.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mike the Headless Chicken?

Mike the Headless Chicken was a chicken that lived for 18 months after his head was cut off in 1945. He became famous as one of the most unusual animals in history, touring the country and gaining widespread media attention.

How did Mike survive without a head?

Mike survived because the axe missed his jugular vein and left most of his brain stem intact. He could still perform basic functions like walking, eating, and drinking through a tube in his neck.

When did Mike the Headless Chicken die?

Mike died in March 1947, approximately 18 months after his beheading in September 1945. He choked to death when he accidentally inhaled seed while eating.

Why was Mike the Headless Chicken famous?

Mike became a celebrity because he challenged scientific understanding of how the brain controls basic body functions. He toured the United States as a sideshow attraction and was featured in newspapers and magazines worldwide.

Is it true that chickens can live without their heads?

While Mike is the most famous case, chickens can briefly survive decapitation if the cut misses critical blood vessels and leaves the brain stem partially intact. However, Mike's 18-month survival was extraordinarily unusual and remains one of the longest recorded instances.