A week after observing mike Olsen packed him up and took him to the University of Utah in Salt Lake City in order to find the reason behind Mike's amazing ability to survive with no head.
Scientists there 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.
