Why Israeli breeders bred a naked chicken (5 photos)

Who among us hasn't dreamed of a four-legged chicken that would produce twice as many chicken legs? Unfortunately, or fortunately, such a mutant hasn't yet appeared, but scientists regularly present equally interesting developments. For example, in Israel, breeders have developed a featherless chicken that looks awful but eliminates the tedious and labor-intensive process of plucking.





Scientists spent 30 years to achieve success in their breeding work. Of course, the main goal is to produce a bird that doesn't need to be defeathered. On poultry farms, this work is performed by machines, but it still requires investment in equipment, maintenance, and power.



But plucking isn't the only reason to breed bald birds. Israel has a very hot climate, which poultry doesn't tolerate well. To ensure the chickens feel comfortable, eat well, and gain weight, a microclimate is created for them using special equipment. Without this, the birds lose their appetite, become lethargic, and die.





Featherless nude chickens are not afraid of the Middle Eastern heat and thrive even on the hottest summer days. And their owners are once again skimping, this time on air conditioning and ventilation systems.

This new breed of bird is known to lay eggs quite well—about once every three days. Unfortunately, they are completely unsuitable as brood hens—their lack of feathers makes this process pointless. Surprisingly, the featherless treatment had a positive effect on the chickens' immune system—they unexpectedly gained robust health.



The creation of featherless chickens is attributed to Israeli poultry geneticist Avigdor Kahaner. Many speculate that he resorted to unnatural and unethical genetic modifications, but Kahaner has repeatedly stated that he achieved his results solely through selective breeding.



In Israel, birds of this promising new breed are only available on a few small experimental farms, where they are studied rather than kept as poultry. The main problem preventing these chickens from becoming popular is that they frighten people who breed birds.

It's strange, but a featherless bird and a hairless cat evoke completely opposite emotions in us. Look at these Sphynxes—aren't they beautiful?