I grew up on a farm in Maine and have experienced the thrill of watching headless chickens run. We had sheepdogs and it would drive the dogs nuts chasing them. I couldn't have moved off the farm quick enough. Thank God for college.
axe? we put their head under a foot and pulled their head off. less dangerous. and they didn't run but mostly did backward flips if we accidently let them go. the art was in keeping them immobilized until the reaction subsided.
my mother paid the hospital bill for the birth of my oldest sister by dressing chickens for 10 cents apiece.