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Mike The Headless Chicken

What is mike the headless chicken?

· Emily Grant

Key facts

Name Mike the Headless Chicken[1]
Breed male Wyandotte chicken[1]
Event date September 10, 1945[2]
Place Fruita, Colorado[2]
Survival time 18 months[1]
Death date March 17, 1947[2]

Mike the Headless Chicken was a male Wyandotte chicken that survived for about 18 months after his head was mostly cut off in 1945, becoming famous for his unusual resilience.

Context

Mike the Headless Chicken was a male Wyandotte chicken that survived after most of his head was cut off in 1945, living for about 18 months afterward [1]. The event took place on September 10, 1945, in Fruita, Colorado [2]. He died on March 17, 1947 [2]. His survival was due to the fact that most of his brain stem and one ear remained intact, and a blood clot prevented him from bleeding to death [1]. His owner, Lloyd Olsen, later exhibited him at fairs, carnivals, and other public events [2].

Documented claims

  • Mike survived because most of his brain stem remained intact and a blood clot prevented him from bleeding to death. [1]
  • He was exhibited at fairs, carnivals, and other public events. [2]

Questions and answers

How did Headless Mike eat?

Sources do not specify how Mike ate, but his brain stem and one ear remained intact, which allowed basic functions to continue [1].

How old was Mike the Headless Chicken?

His exact age is not given, but he lived for about 18 months after the event in 1945 [1].

What happened to Mike the Headless Chicken's body?

The sources do not detail what happened to his body after his death in March 1947 [2].

Sources

  1. 37 Facts About Mike The Headless Chicken — facts.net (retrieved August 3, 2026)
  2. Who was 'Mike the Headless Chicken' – and just how long ... — discoverwildlife.com (retrieved August 3, 2026)

Sources last checked August 3, 2026. · More in Nature