Yes, chickens really can run around with their heads cut off — and Modern Farmer has the explanation behind how the animals can survive decapitation.
The answer often lies in the way chickens are killed — if a butcher slices a chicken's head too high, the slice may miss the jugular veins. A too-high slice can also take away the chicken's forebrain but leave the brain stem and cerebellum, allowing the bird to continue moving and, in some cases, breathing.
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