10 Strange Facts About Chickens You’ve Never Heard Before

Chickens are among the most widespread animals on Earth, with their global population estimated at nearly 19 billion—roughly three times the human population. By comparison, cattle, the second most common domesticated animal, number only about 1.4 billion. Chickens are also the most slaughtered animals annually; in the United States alone, around seven billion chickens are killed every year. Despite their familiarity, chickens have a surprisingly complex and fascinating history that often goes unnoticed.

1. Chickens Were Not Domesticated for Food

Contrary to popular belief, chickens were not originally domesticated as a food source. Archaeological evidence suggests that early humans in Southeast Asia first domesticated the red junglefowl (Gallus gallus) primarily for cockfighting, a brutal form of entertainment. This process began around 7,000 years ago, making chickens one of the earliest domesticated animals.

Egg-laying chickens spread quickly across regions, but their value as meat remained limited until the rise of industrial farming. Although cockfighting is now illegal in most countries due to animal cruelty, it still exists underground and is often linked to illegal gambling and organized crime.

2. The “Chicken Tax” of the Cold War Era

During the Cold War, advances in American poultry farming drastically reduced chicken prices, allowing U.S. producers to export large quantities to Europe. European farmers, however, accused American producers of market dumping and claimed U.S. chicken was contaminated with chemicals.

In response, countries like France and West Germany imposed steep tariffs on American chicken imports, cutting U.S. exports by nearly 25%. Retaliating in 1963, President Lyndon B. Johnson introduced tariffs on several European goods, including light trucks. This policy—known as the “Chicken Tax”—remains in effect today and has shaped the global auto industry in unexpected ways.

3. The KFC “Mutant Chicken” Conspiracy

An urban legend once claimed that Kentucky Fried Chicken changed its name to KFC because it was no longer serving real chickens. The rumor suggested the company was using genetically modified creatures lacking beaks and feathers, fed through tubes.

The story, which falsely cited research from the University of New Hampshire, was entirely fabricated. In reality, the name change was driven by branding strategy and a desire to distance the company from the word “fried”, which had begun to carry negative health connotations.

4. The Chicken Cannon

Bird strikes pose a serious threat to aircraft safety. To simulate these collisions, engineers developed a device known as a chicken cannon, capable of firing frozen chicken carcasses at extreme speeds.

Launched at velocities reaching Mach 1.4 (approximately 1,674 km/h), the tests—called bird ingestion tests—are used to assess the durability of engines, windshields, and wings. Such testing is mandatory for aircraft certification under regulations set by aviation authorities.

5. Chickens as Chemical Warfare Detectors

During the 2003 invasion of Iraq, U.S. forces experimented with an unusual method to detect chemical weapons: live chickens. Because of their highly sensitive respiratory systems, chickens were expected to die quickly if exposed to toxic gases, providing an early warning for soldiers.

The experiment failed, as most of the chickens died from extreme heat and stress rather than chemical exposure. Still, the idea reflected historical uses of animals as biological warning systems.

6. Mechanical Chicken Harvesters

Manually catching chickens is one of the most physically demanding jobs in poultry farming. To reduce worker strain, mechanical harvesting machines were developed, capable of collecting up to 200 chickens in just 30 seconds.

Despite their intimidating appearance, studies show these machines actually reduce injuries, lowering leg injuries by about 30% and wing injuries by 11% compared to manual handling.

7. The Chinese Silkie Chicken

The Silkie chicken, originally from China, is known for its unusual black or dark-blue flesh, a result of a genetic condition called fibromelanosis. This mutation causes excessive pigmentation, affecting the bones, organs, and skin.

Silkies are also famous for their soft, fur-like feathers and exceptionally calm temperament, making them one of the most docile and friendly chicken breeds.

8. Which Came First: The Chicken or the Egg?

One of humanity’s oldest philosophical questions received a scientific twist in 2010, when researchers identified a protein called Ovocleidin-17, which plays a crucial role in forming eggshells—and is produced only inside a chicken.

This discovery strongly suggests that the chicken came first, as the egg could not form without the protein created by the bird itself.

9. The Mass Killing of Chicks

A controversial practice in the poultry industry involves the immediate killing of male chicks after hatching. Since they cannot lay eggs and are inefficient for meat production, billions are culled each year.

In the United States, the most common method is instant mechanical maceration, which kills chicks within seconds. Other countries often rely on gas-based methods, both of which remain the subject of ethical debate.

10. Hypnotizing Chickens

Chickens can be temporarily immobilized by placing them in a specific position and drawing a straight line in front of their beak. This induces a trance-like state known as tonic immobility, during which the chicken may remain still for up to 30 minutes.

This technique is sometimes used to safely handle chickens without causing them stress or injury.