Ever heard the phrase “running around like a headless chicken”? One chicken took that quite literally and lived to cluck the tale… for a surprisingly long time.
Meet Mike the Headless Chicken, who started his life simply as Mike, in a story that sounds straight out of an anxiety-inducing Chicken Run escapade.
However, unlike the tragic fate of Edwina in the beloved animated film (RIP, Edwina), Mike astonishingly survived his encounter with the chopping block.
It all began on September 10, 1945, when Lloyd Olsen, a farmer in Colorado, was tasked with selecting a chicken for dinner. His choice? Mike, a Wyandotte rooster about five and a half months old.
The unbelievable occurred when, post-chop, Mike was still moving! Though it’s known that chickens can continue moving due to nerve-induced muscle contractions for a few seconds or minutes, Mike’s case was extraordinary.
Mike earned the nickname “Miracle Mike” and went on to live a life much longer than anyone could have anticipated.
Olsen, realizing Mike wasn’t going anywhere soon, began feeding him with an eyedropper, offering a diet of milk and water supplemented with small bits of corn and worms.
Despite his…erm, condition, Mike continued doing everyday chicken things. He attempted to preen, scratch for food, and even tried to crow, producing only a strange gurgle.
Mike turned into a bona fide sideshow sensation, touring with other unique attractions and even making magazine appearances.
At his peak, Mike helped Olsen earn up to $4,500 a month—equivalent to over $72,000 today. Talk about a lucrative feathered friend!
Unfortunately, Mike’s adventures ended in 1947 when he choked on a corn kernel, despite rumors that he was sold.
How did Mike manage to survive without his head?
The secret lies in Olsen’s axe missing Mike’s jugular vein, sparing him from immediate bleeding out. Additionally, although most of Mike’s head was gone, his brainstem and one ear were left intact, allowing him basic bodily functions and balance.
Today, Mike’s legacy continues with Colorado celebrating “Mike the Headless Chicken Day” annually—a nod to one chicken’s will to live against all odds.