Chopped but Not Done
When Colorado farmer Lloyd Olsen aimed to prepare dinner on September 10, 1945, he selected a young Wyandotte rooster named Mike. But the axe stroke left most of Mike’s brain stem and one ear intact. Instead of dying, the headless bird stood up and tried to preen.
Feeding a Phenomenon
Seeing Mike alive and mobile, Olsen fed him with an eyedropper, giving him milk and water, along with small grains and worms. Mike managed to walk and even attempted to crow—producing only a gurgle. News of his survival quickly spread.
Sideshows and Dollars
Mike toured the U.S. as “Miracle Mike,” appearing alongside curiosities like two-headed animals. At his peak, he earned his owner $4,500 a month (about $63,400 today). Magazines like Time and Life featured his story, and he was valued at $10,000.
A Final Gasp in Phoenix
In March 1947, while on tour in Arizona, Mike choked on mucus during the night. His owners had accidentally left his feeding tools at the previous venue. Without them, they couldn’t save him. Mike had lived for 18 months without a head.
