# Does KFC really sell mutant chicken? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 24, 2003, 5:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113 "2003-02-24T05:57:14Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Dignan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/f07891/32.png) [@Dignan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dignan)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/21 "2003-02-25T03:47:29Z")
Was KFC ever called “Colonel Sanders”? My dad calls it that, and I don’t know if it’s a hold over from when he was younger; I can’t trust that he’d tell me the truth. Or is he just being a dork, like when he refers to gas as “petrol” (he’s not British)? ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/22 "2003-02-25T03:53:11Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dignan \* > **Was KFC ever called “Colonel Sanders”?** Early on, it was sold as “Colonel Sanders’ Kentucky Fried Chcicken”. In fact, if you pass by any KFC founded in the early 1980’s or earlier, you’ll notice the “Colonel Sanders” part on the billboard (in smaller type, and not directly next to “Kentucky Fried Chicken”. They appear to have abandoned this by 1985. ---
**Author:** ![TJ555\_The\_Golfer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/41988e/32.png) [@TJ555\_The\_Golfer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TJ555_The_Golfer)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 3:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/23 "2003-02-25T03:58:52Z")
Actually, they changed the name from Kentucky Fried Chicken to KFC to save money on the signs. As one junoir executive put it, “Think of the savings.” Of course he was forgeting that they would have to replace all the old signs. The company was nearly destroyed. And who was the junior executive? Roy Stout. ---
**Author:** ![samarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/4da419/32.png) [@samarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/samarm)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 4:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/24 "2003-02-25T04:04:51Z")
The company was nearly destroyed because they shortened their name? I didn’t know that. I’m not doubting you, but do you have a cite? ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/25 "2003-02-25T04:55:46Z")
There are featherless chickens though. :\> Developed in israel for farming in hot climates… it looks absolutely ridiculous and very disturbing for some unknown reason. A six breasted naked chicken might be popular with the roosters. ---
**Author:** ![scr4](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 5:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/26 "2003-02-25T05:01:10Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lokij \* > **There are featherless chickens though** Here’s the [photo](http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Station/1643/naked.html). The phrase “oven ready” comes to mind.:eek: ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 5:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/27 "2003-02-25T05:49:02Z")
> [@](#): > > Of course KFC sells mutant chickens. The paltry poultry I cook at home never tastes that good. It’s the MSG. Amazing how many people say that the MSG in Chinese food makes them sick, yet have no problem with KFC. But MSG will make pretty much anything yummier, particularly meaty things. ---
**Author:** ![Enderw24](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ba9def/32.png) [@Enderw24](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enderw24)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/28 "2003-02-25T06:00:26Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by krisolov \* > \*\*We had this big honkin’ industrial cooker that would cook (no lie) about 20 whole chickens (in pieces) at once. Mmmm… \*\* This baby will deep fry a buffalo in 30 seconds. Oooooh, but I want it now! ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 6:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/29 "2003-02-25T06:08:35Z")
Gee, after reading the OP and the copious similar responses I was thinking we must be coming up on a full moon. Nope. The full moon was February 16th. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Derleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b9e5f3/32.png) [@Derleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Derleth)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 6:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/30 "2003-02-25T06:14:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by lokij \* > **There are featherless chickens though.** Wasn’t it Plato who defined man as a featherless biped? (_implume_ something or other… ) I suppose we’d be cannabals if we ate those bald birds. Damn. ---
**Author:** ![KarlGrenze](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/dbc845/32.png) [@KarlGrenze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KarlGrenze)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 10:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/31 "2003-02-25T10:41:20Z")
Featherless chickens can also come from genetic selection of another trait (say more breast meat). The chickens KFC buys come from the same companies found in the supermarket, perhaps killed earlier than the ones in the market. Most if not all chicken companies either have their own genetic selection stock or buy their breeders from company that specialize in genetic selection for certain chicken traits. ---
**Author:** ![Fenris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fenris/32/498_2.png) [@Fenris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fenris)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/32 "2003-02-25T12:14:28Z")
Don’t believe them. Oh sure, they’ll point you to Snopes and say “That settles it.” but we know better. Right now, a fight for our future is on. Bands of mutant chicken roam the street fighting for and against humanity. Cluck-clop, Marvel-hen, Ice-Rooster, Wolvercluck, etc vs The Brotherhood of Evil Roosters. Coming soon to a theater near YOU! The ALL-NEW ALL DIFFERENT UNCANNY X-CHICKENS! Too Cool to Fry! Fenris ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_Dirx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b77776/32.png) [@Sir\_Dirx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_Dirx)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 12:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/33 "2003-02-25T12:46:09Z")
> [@](#): > > Bands of mutant chicken roam the street fighting for and against humanity. Don’t you mean **cross** the street? 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Shade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2bfe46/32.png) [@Shade](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shade)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/34 "2003-02-25T12:57:11Z")
> [@](#): > > …six breasts each… Mmm… six breasts… ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/35 "2003-02-25T15:43:17Z")
**Chronos** , do you have a cite for the MSG thing I could show LadyLion? We love KFC but she says she reacts to MSG at a Chinese buffet place (Wok your Dog) in Phoenix. ---
**Author:** ![Padeye](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@Padeye](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Padeye)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/36 "2003-02-25T15:45:31Z")
Say, does anyone know of a consumer pressure fryer? Not the kind of thing I’d like to experiment with on my own as I don’t have a Cape Canaveral style blockhouse next to the kitchen. ---
**Author:** ![3waygeek](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/3/e95f7d/32.png) [@3waygeek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/3waygeek)\ **Post date:** [February 25, 2003, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/37 "2003-02-25T16:25:26Z")
**Padeye** , William Poundstone, in one of his “Big Secrets” books, had an independent lab do an analysis of the KFC breading mix. IIRC, they found only flour, salt, pepper, and MSG (so much for the old “11 herbs & spices” claim). You can probably find Poundstone’s book(s) in your local bookstore, or at [amazon.com](http://amazon.com). ---
**Author:** ![lokij](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/5e9695/32.png) [@lokij](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lokij)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/38 "2003-02-26T00:14:52Z")
As far as I know any regular old pressure cooker will work, that’s what the Colonel himself used originally. I’m assuming you don’t actually want to fry 20 chickens at a time however. ;\> ---
**Author:** ![mangeorge](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d78d45/32.png) [@mangeorge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mangeorge)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/39 "2003-02-26T00:34:59Z")
Google “pressure fryer”, **Padeye**. Using your best filter skills, that is. Pressure frying is supposed to give a product with _less_ grease. Could be, I suppose. Peace, mangeorge ---
**Author:** ![Governor\_Quinn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@Governor\_Quinn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Governor_Quinn)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2003, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113/40 "2003-02-26T00:46:30Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by 3waygeek \* > \*\*\*\*(so much for the old “11 herbs & spices” claim). > \*\* I believe that they DID use 11 herbs and spices originally, but that they cut down later in order to save a little money. (BTW, ever notice that Cecil Adams/Ed Zotti, David Feldman, and William Poundstone have never been seen in the same place at the same time?) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/does-kfc-really-sell-mutant-chicken/157113.md?page=3)