In 1945, Lloyd Olsen was sent by his wife to decapitate a chicken for the evening meal. Lloyd removed the chicken’s head; however, the bird did not die. In fact, it moved around as if pecking for food and that night slept as though it had tucked its head under its wing.
Lloyd was so impressed with the bird’s survival that a week later, he took him to the University of Utah for investigation. The scientists discovered that the ax blade has failed to sever the jugular vein. This failure along with a blood clot prevented the bird from bleeding to death.
In addition, the head had been separated from the body while most of the brain stem was left behind. Because much of a chicken’s behavior is controlled by reflexive actions connected to the brain stem, the bird was able to continue functioning in a fairly normal fashion.
Lloyd provided food and water to the chicken with an eyedropper, and the bird lived for 18 months. During this time, the chicken enjoyed a tour across the United States, recognition in national magazines, and a Guinness World Record. He is still celebrated annually at the Mike the Headless Chicken Festival in Fruita, Colorado. (Search “Mike the Headless Chicken” to access numerous websites and a YouTube video!)
After sharing this story with students, ask them: Why can a chicken continue to walk with its head cut off and a human being cannot?