Angels4 Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Thought you all might enjoy this. This show was on our local Public Broadcasting Station. I know it is kind of long, but interesting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 thanks, will watch all of them later- that house in maine looked gorgeous, very Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 12, 2008 Share Posted September 12, 2008 Thanks, I'll catch it later too . (Got to go and get my boys now!) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Angels4 Posted September 13, 2008 Author Share Posted September 13, 2008 This is just one of the fasinating stories to be seen on "THE NATURAL HISTORY OF CHICKENS" there is also a story about a chicken in Maine who was frozen solid on winter day and the owner was able to perform CPR and bring her back. September 10th, 1945 finds a strapping (but tender) five and a half month old Wyandotte rooster pecking through the dust of Fruita, Colorado. The unsuspecting bird had never looked so delicious as he did that, now famous, day. Clara Olsen was planning on featuring the plump chicken in the evening meal. Husband Lloyd Olsen was sent out, on a very routine mission, to prepare the designated fryer for the pan. Nothing about this task turned out to be routine. Lloyd knew his Mother in Law would be dining with them and would savor the neck. He positioned his ax precisely, estimating just the right tolerances, to leave a generous neck bone. "It was as important to Suck-Up to your Mother in Law in the 40's as it is today." A skillful blow was executed and the chicken staggered around like most freshly terminated poultry. Then the determined bird shook off the traumatic event and never looked back. Mike (it is unclear when the famous rooster took on the name) returned to his job of being a chicken. He pecked for food and preened his feathers just like the rest of his barnyard buddies. When Olsen found Mike the next morning, sleeping with his "head" under his wing, he decided that if Mike had that much will to live, he would figure out a way to feed and water him. With an eyedropper Mike was given grain and water. It was becoming obvious that Mike was special. A week into Mike's new life Olsen packed him up and took him 250 miles to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City . The skeptical scientists were eager to answer all the questions regarding Mike's amazing ability to survive with no head. It was determined that ax blade had missed the jugular vein and a clot had prevented Mike from bleeding to death. Although most of his head was in a jar, most of his brain stem and one ear was left on his body. Since most of a chicken's reflex actions are controlled by the brain stem Mike was able to remain quite healthy. In the 18 MONTHS that Mike lived as "The Headless Wonder Chicken" he grew from a mere 2 1/2 lbs. to nearly 8 lbs. In a Gayle Meyer interview Olsen said Mike was a "robust chicken - a fine specimen of a chicken except for not having a head." Some longtime Fruita residents, gathered at the Monument Cafe for coffee, also remember Mike - "he was a big fat chicken who didn't know he didn't have a head" - "he seemed as happy as any other chicken." Mike's excellent state of health made it difficult for animal-rights activists to garner much of a following. Even now the town of Fruita celebrates Mike's impressive will to live, not the nature of his handicap. Miracle Mike took on a manager, and with the Olsens in tow, set out on a national tour. Curious sideshow patrons in New York , Atlantic City , Los Angeles , and San Diego lined up to pay 25 cents to see Mike. The "Wonder Chicken" was valued at $10,000.00 and insured for the same. His fame and fortune would earn him recognition in Life and Time Magazines. It goes without saying there was a Guinness World Record in all this. While returning from one of these road trips the Olsens stopped at a motel in the Arizona desert. In the middle of the night Mike began to choke. Unable to find the eyedropper used to clear Mike's open esophagus Miracle Mike passed on. Now, Mike's spirit is celebrated the third weekend in May. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted September 13, 2008 Share Posted September 13, 2008 I remember hearing about Mike the Headless Chicken a few years ago - I thought it was a windup at first! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 well I just watched the first part and think we need to get a sticky under 'chickens' on CPR - perhaps it could be added to the advanced course? Egluntine, surely you of all omleteers has much to teach us on the valuable role that CPR has to play in chicken husbandry? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted September 14, 2008 Share Posted September 14, 2008 I'll confess to having watched three episodes. Some fascinating facts in between bits of daftness. The barmy old bat with the truly believable red hair, who swims with her chicken and puts nappies on him is worth watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
..lay a little egg for me Posted September 15, 2008 Share Posted September 15, 2008 I remember hearing about Mike the Headless Chicken a few years ago - I thought it was a windup at first! He has his own website!!! [http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
