The shortages, which are expected to last all week in some parts of Britain, have prompted online mockery and disbelief aimed at the United States fast-food giant.

"So @KFC have run out of chicken. This is how the apocalypse starts," wrote Twitter user @jonevans78, while @Brad_Langford said: "How will the nation cope?"

Others, like meat substitute maker Quorn, spotted an opportunity, with the company tweeting its offer of "Quorn Crispy Nuggets for a meat-free alternative".

KFC on Wednesday said about 450 of its 900 outlets remained closed after "operational issues" with new German delivery supplier DHL left them without poultry supplies.

There were reports of desperate KFC employees taking the initiative and buying chicken themselves, while the Daily Mail reported that crates of undelivered chicken at a DHL depot would have to be destroyed.

"Some chickens have now crossed the road," the company said in a statement on Twitter, providing devotees with a link to a list of restaurants that are open.

"Each day more deliveries are being made," a spokesman said late on Tuesday.

"However, we expect the disruption to some restaurants to continue over the remainder of the week, meaning some will be closed and others operating with a reduced menu or shortened hours."

  The crisis erupted over the weekend when KFC switched its delivery contract to DHL from South African-owned supplier Bidvest.

"We've brought a new delivery partner onboard, but they've had a couple of teething problems -- getting fresh chicken out to 900 restaurants across the country is pretty complex," KFC said.

--AFP--