Why Do Chickens Run Around After Head is Cut Off?

[deerman]

Mike the chicken lived for 18 months without a HEAD!!!!!!!!

http://www.miketheheadlesschicken.org/story.php

 

[Buster52]

A quick death is very important to me, and I have tried several methods, including bludgeoning, slitting, and decapitation. I watch the birds eyes carefully. Decapitation has been by far the quickest method of death. It is over within microseconds.

 

[EweSheep]

"Living heads" sends me a shiver in my spine reading that. I thought the brain dies within a few minutes and your hearing is the last thing to go. I read it in the Death book which I can not remember the title or author but it was interesting!

For me, it was instantous. They did flap around with head cut off or throat being cut. With the blood pressure being dropped, you and the chickens would be uncouscious. I am sure they probably felt the pain of slicing but it would be split second before it realizes anything to avoid it.

Interesting topic in both humans and chickens!

 

[ScoobyRoo]

Just to add to the question.............. why would you let the chicken 'run around' after chopping off the head? Wont that make the meat tougher? I personally wont witness that part. My DH grabs them by the neck, snaps them, hangs them upside down, beheads them and lets them drain. I wont watch/look til he has them skinned or mostlly plucked.

 

[jaku]

I've always heard that they have a secondary nervous system which causes it to happen. They are most certainly dead, however.

 

[country freedom]

Quote:
Oh my! Reading that was just disturbing!

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Oh my! Reading that was just disturbing!

It sure was!

Edit: Let's be sure to bring this macabre thread back next Halloween!

 

[Criskin]

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Wow! I hope I don't have nightmares about this tonight! It is interesting, though. I remember reading in a biography that Anne Boleyn's lips continued to move in prayer for a few minutes after her execution. Of course, in chickens and people it seems impossible to tell if there is conscious thought behind the movements. I love reading historical biographies and I've named three of my hens after historical queens (and a countess) who lost their heads...Anne (Boleyn) Marie (Antoinette) and Margaret (Pole). I'm saving Mary (Queen of Scots) for a pretty escape artist hen!

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
Wow! I hope I don't have nightmares about this tonight! It is interesting, though. I remember reading in a biography that Anne Boleyn's lips continued to move in prayer for a few minutes after her execution. Of course, in chickens and people it seems impossible to tell if there is conscious thought behind the movements. I love reading historical biographies and I've named three of my hens after historical queens (and a countess) who lost their heads...Anne (Boleyn) Marie (Antoinette) and Margaret (Pole). I'm saving Mary (Queen of Scots) for a pretty escape artist hen!

LOL Love it!

 

[chickerdoodle]

I know nerves cause muscles to still twitch after death as I assisted in euthanasia when I worked with veterinarians. Whether there is feeling, scientifically I doubt it. Having been in science fields for more years then I care to count I know what it is supposed to be but being humble enough to realize we do not know everything on heaven and earth I cannot rule it out. So whether they do or do not feel pain please give them respect for having given up their life for our table.