A chicken from the Ratchaburi district in central Thailand got worldwide fame after it survived decapitation. The bird was possibly attacked by a wild animal who bit its head off. But miraculously, the bird soldiered on for a week without its dead before finally dying. Photographs of the bird with only a bloody stump for its head has been doing rounds on the social media. It is baffling how the chicken had been standing up without any problems, despite missing its head.

The chicken had been adopted by a vet named Dr Supakadee Arun Thong and has been keeping the headless bird alive by feeding it through its neck. To prevent any chances of an infection through its wound, the bird is also being given a steady stream of antibiotics. Before it died, the vet was reported to have told a local newspaper that the bird was alive and well. She said, "The animal has its life. If it wants to live, we feed it." The doctor applauded the will of the bird to fight against all odds and survive.

But without its head, it was inevitable that the bird may not survive for too long. The doctor feared that the only remnant of its head, its tongue was drying out. The only way the chicken's life could have been prolonged was if someone adopted it. 'Who will take him and care for him? He will need lifelong care. I have to admit that this chicken is a true warrior with a very tough heart.'

As incredible as the story may seem, this is not the first instance the world has seen a headless chicken. Back in 1945, a chicken name Mike would have been served as supper to the Olsen family from Fruita, Colorado. But the axe used to decapitate the chicken missed its jugular vein, leaving one of its ears and most of its brain stem intact.

Mike the headless chicken who survived for 18 months after he was decapitated. (Picture credits: Wikimedia Commons)

A clot in the vein had prevented Mike from bleeding to death. Mike the headless chicken went on to have an illustrious career as a performer for a travelling sideshow company. He survived for 18 months after his decapitation. Surprisingly, it was not the medical complications that caused his death. He had died choking on a corn kernel.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Mar 29, 2018 03:56 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).