About Mike

Yep, this is Mike. Mike the headless chicken. Miracle Mike who lived 18 months without a head.
"A skillful blow was executed and the chicken staggered around like most freshly terminated poultry. Then the determined bird shook off the traumatic event and never looked back. Mike...returned to his job of being a chicken. He pecked for food and preened his feathers just like the rest of his barnyard buddies.The skeptical scientists [at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City] were eager to answer all the questions regarding Mike's amazing ability to survive with no head. It was determined that ax blade had missed the jugular vein and a clot had prevented Mike from bleeding to death. Although most of his head was in a jar, most of his brain stem and one ear was left on his body. Since most of a chicken's reflex actions are controlled by the brain stem Mike was able to remain quite healthy."
The special chicken was fed grain and water with an eyedropper. He was valued for $10,000 and was insured for that. He was recognized in Life and Time magazines, and won a Guiness World Record. While returning from a road trip, the Olsens along with Mike, spent a night at a motel in Arizona. In the middle of the night, the chicken began to choke. His owners were unable to find the eyedropper used to clear Mike's esophagus. The poor Miracle Mike died that night.
Now Mike the chicken is celebrated in the third weekend in May.
Read more at
http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/story.php .