• Question: why do chickens survive for a short amount of time with there head cut off.

    Asked by Jeff to Alison, Hannah, Jonny, MarthaNari, Paul on 23 Jun 2015.
    • Photo: Jonny Brooks-Bartlett

      Jonny Brooks-Bartlett answered on 23 Jun 2015:

      It’s likely due to the adrenalin in the muscle tissue that gives the bird convulsions, making it look like it is still alive. Chickens flap and flop around for about thirty seconds before they are totally dead.
      That flopping/flapping movement can carry the headless chicken along a few metres. The chicken isn’t really running, but it looks like it is.

      There was a special case of a chicken called Mike that lived for 18 months after it’s head was chopped off. The axe had not touched the bird’s carotid artery and Mike’s blood had quickly clotted, saving him from bleeding to death. Most of the basic body functions are controlled by the brain stem in a chicken, Mike was able to stay alive. You can read about it here: http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2013/07/the-chicken-who-lived-without-his-head-for-18-months/

    • Photo: Paul Brack

      Paul Brack answered on 25 Jun 2015:

      You must visit this website:http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/!

      There’s an annual festival to honour Mike! You can buy a Mike blanket! This is the best thing I’ve read all day.

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