The Day That Mike Became the Headless Chicken
On September 10, 1945, in the small town of Fruita, Colorado, something extraordinary happened: a chicken named Mike survived a botched decapitation. Farmer Lloyd Olsen had planned to prepare Mike for market, but when he swung his axe, he missed the jugular vein and left most of the brain stem and one ear intact. To everyone’s surprise, Mike didn’t die. Instead, he stood up, walked around, and even tried to peck at food, as if nothing had happened.
Seeing that Mike was still alive, Olsen decided to take care of him. He fed Mike using a mixture of milk and water, which he carefully dropped into Mike’s open esophagus with an eyedropper. Mike continued to thrive despite his headless state, and news of his survival quickly spread. Before long, Mike became famous, appearing in newspapers and magazines like Time and Life, and even touring the country in sideshows. People paid 25 cents each to see the headless wonder, and at the height of his fame, Mike was insured for $10,000.
Mike’s survival was not just a fluke; there was a scientific explanation behind it. The brain stem, which controls many basic functions such as breathing, heart rate, and reflex actions, was still largely intact. This allowed Mike to continue performing basic activities despite being headless. Chickens have a unique physiology that lets them live for short periods without a head, but Mike’s 18-month survival was exceptional.
Mike’s life came to an unexpected end in March 1947. While in a motel in Phoenix, Arizona, Mike choked on a piece of corn, and Olsen was unable to clear his airway in time. Though Mike’s time as a headless chicken had come to a close, his story left a lasting impression.
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Today, Mike the Headless Chicken is remembered as a quirky piece of American history. His story is a reminder of the strange and unexpected moments that can capture the world’s imagination.