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Miracle Mike: The Rooster Who Lived Without a Head
23 Oct
Summary
- Mike the rooster survived 18 months after being beheaded.
- His jugular vein was missed, leaving his brainstem intact.
- Mike's survival led to an annual festival in Fruita, Colorado.
Fruita, Colorado, has celebrated an extraordinary event for over two decades: the survival of a rooster named Mike. In September 1945, farmer Lloyd Olsen's attempt to behead the bird for supper failed to be fatal. The axe missed Mike's jugular vein, and a clot stopped bleeding, allowing him to live.
Experts later explained that the intact brainstem was crucial for Mike's basic bodily functions. His owners meticulously cared for him, feeding him milk, water, and corn via an eyedropper. Word of 'Miracle Mike' spread, leading to national attention and even tours, where scientists studied him.
Mike ultimately died in March 1947, having lived 18 months without a head, a feat still recognized by Guinness World Records. The town of Fruita initiated its annual festival in 1999 to commemorate this unique story, drawing approximately 15,000 visitors annually for celebrations including runs, music, and contests.
