New shocking footage from chicken farms of a KFC Italia supplier Francesco CeccarelliHead of investigations 20 March 2024
A new undercover investigation has been carried out on four intensive chicken farms of a KFC Italia supplier. The investigation is part of a campaign to get the big fast-food chain to promise to join the European Chicken Commitment, which also applies in Italy.
Animals in agony with open wounds, violence by the workers, burned chests and legs, several dozen dead chickens every day: this is what is portrayed by some of the shocking footage filmed at four chicken farms of a KFC brand supplier in Italy located in the province of Verona. These are huge industrial warehouses, which at full production turn out around 300,000 chickens every 60 days.
As a fried chicken lover, I’m sure you’ve enjoyed the distinctive flavors of KFC’s famous original recipe chicken. That secret blend of 11 herbs and spices is instantly recognizable. But have you ever wondered exactly what breed of chicken KFC uses to create their signature taste and texture? I was curious, so I did some digging into the poultry pedigree behind the KFC chicken.
There’s a lot of speculation out there about the type of chicken KFC relies on. Some claim it’s a genetically modified “frankenchicken” pumped full of hormones and antibiotics. Others say it’s a rare, proprietary breed developed solely for KFC. The urban legends around the KFC chicken breed are wild, but as is often the case, the truth is much simpler.
The Reality Behind KFC’s Chicken Sourcing
KFC doesn’t use any secret breeds of chicken or chickens that have been genetically modified. Instead, they get their chicken from a number of standard commercial broiler breeds that are designed to make meat quickly. This aligns with typical practices in the commercial chicken industry.
KFC has strict quality standards for its suppliers and chicken. Suppliers raise breeds optimized for high meat yield, especially on the breast and thighs. The specific breeds KFC suppliers use can vary based on availability, cost-efficiency, and contracts. But commonly used breeds include:
- Cobb 500
- Ross 308
- Hubbard Flex
These broiler breeds are the product of decades of selective breeding for traits like:
- Rapid growth rate
- High feed efficiency
- Increased breast muscle mass
- Disease resistance
The goal is to produce an affordable chicken optimized for meat production that reaches market weight quickly.
Why KFC Avoids Relying on a Single Breed
With such huge global demand, KFC can’t rely on a single breed. Multiple breeds from various suppliers gives them:
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Supply chain resilience: If one supplier or breed has issues, KFC still has chicken sources.
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Cost efficiency: KFC can adapt to minimize costs as market conditions change.
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Scale: No single breed could fulfill KFC’s enormous demand consistently.
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Flexibility: KFC can adjust to shifting consumer preferences or requirements.
KFC keeps quality high, costs low, and makes sure they always have enough chicken to satisfy their customers’ fried chicken cravings by using a variety of well-known broiler breeds instead of a proprietary chicken.
Answering Common Questions About KFC’s Chickens
Let’s address some frequent questions that come up regarding KFC’s chicken sourcing:
Are the chickens genetically modified?
No. The broiler breeds are the result of selective breeding, not genetic modification. Selective breeding promotes desirable traits naturally over generations. Genetic modification directly alters an organism’s genes in a lab.
Does KFC use hormones or steroids?
No. Hormone use has been banned in U. S. poultry production for years. KFC’s chickens grow quickly thanks to selective breeding and better food.
What’s the average lifespan of a KFC chicken?
Most broiler chickens reach market weight (around 5-7 lbs) in 6-9 weeks thanks to selective breeding. Their rapid growth rate is key.
Where does KFC source its chicken?
KFC gets its chicken from big suppliers around the world that meet their standards. They aim to work with local producers whenever possible.
How does KFC ensure chicken quality and safety?
KFC audits its suppliers thoroughly, tests chicken rigorously, and enforces strict food safety procedures. They also prioritize animal welfare.
Are the chickens cage-free?
Most broiler chickens are housed in open barns with access to food and water. Cage-free systems are becoming more common as KFC emphasizes higher welfare standards.
Is KFC chicken nutritious?
KFC chicken provides protein but can also be high in fat and sodium depending on the preparation method. KFC provides detailed nutritional information online.
Is KFC committed to animal welfare?
KFC has pledged commitment to improving animal welfare in their supply chain through more humane practices and facilities. However, it remains an evolving, complex issue.
What’s KFC’s environmental impact?
As with any large-scale livestock production, KFC’s chicken supply has environmental effects. KFC aims to reduce their footprint by supporting sustainable farming methods.
Distinguishing Broiler Chickens From Laying Hens
Since it’s common to confuse the two, let’s quickly contrast broiler chickens and laying hens:
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Broiler chickens are bred specifically for meat yield. They grow rapidly and have high muscle mass.
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Laying hens are bred exclusively for egg production. They have longer, more productive lives.
These two types of chickens are genetically distinct breeds meant for different purposes – meat or eggs.
The Bottom Line
While urban legends swirl about mutant KFC chickens, the truth is they rely on standard commercial broiler breeds optimized for efficient meat production just like most poultry companies. By sticking to established industry practices rather than developing a proprietary breed, KFC maintains a cost-effective, resilient chicken supply that allows them to deliver consistent, quality fried chicken to their loyal customers worldwide.
The problems of genetic selection
As in almost all Italian factory farms, chickens of a breed that grows at an extremely fast rate are also used here. These are obtained from decades of genetic selection and reach slaughter weight in just 40 days. Because of this, the animals can’t move because their chests are too heavy, they are deformed, or they have diseases like inflammation and leg injuries. Some animals can’t drink from the drinkers that are lifted off the ground as the chickens grow because they have trouble walking.
Deaths on the farm
Every day there are hundreds of dead chicken carcasses: some in an evident state of decomposition, which could have serious implications for biosecurity and therefore the transmission of pathogens on farms, including through cannibalism. Some corpses are collected in buckets that are then abandoned for days outside the shed and not inside a cold room, as required by law.
A few days before they are killed, the animals are missing feathers from their ano-genital and chest areas. They also have burns on their legs from being in litter that is full of droppings and ammonia, which is bad for the skin.
The video shows real violence towards the animals: the workers kick the animals, throw them against surfaces with the risk of injuring them and handle them in ways that are painful for the chickens, for example by lifting them by only one wing. The frenetic pace of production, the lack of training and staff shortages force workers to treat the animals carelessly or using violence.
There are also distressing s that show the loading of the animals. Loading operations take place with an automated system that is not always properly managed: in one case a worker crushes the chickens with his feet to release the conveyor belt, aggravating the stress situation of the trapped animals, with the risk of injury.