Why did Israeli breeders breed a naked chicken
Who among us has not dreamed of a chicken with four legs, which will give twice as many hams. Unfortunately, or fortunately, such a mutant has not yet appeared, but scientists regularly present no less interesting developments. For example, in Israel, breeders have bred a chicken without feathers, which looks terrible, but eliminates the tedious and time-consuming plucking procedure.
To achieve success in their breeding work, the pundits spent as much as 30 years. Of course, the main goal is to get a bird that does not need to be deprived of a feather cover. On poultry farms, this work is done by machines, but it still requires the cost of purchasing equipment, maintaining it and providing energy.
But plucking is not the only reason to take up the breeding of bald birds. Israel is a country with a very hot climate, which poultry does not tolerate well. To make the chickens feel comfortable, eat well and gain weight, they create a microclimate with the help of special equipment. If this is not done, the birds lose their appetite, become sluggish and die.
Featherless nudist chickens are not afraid of the Middle Eastern heat and feel great even on the hottest summer days. Well, their owners are saving again, now on air conditioning and ventilation systems.
It is known about the new breed of birds that they rush well — about once every three days. But, alas, they are not suitable for hens at all — the lack of feathers makes this process meaningless. Surprisingly, the exposure had a positive effect on the immunity of chickens — they unexpectedly got good health.
The creation of featherless chickens is attributed to the Israeli geneticist Avigdor Kahaner. Many assume that he resorted to some unnatural and unethical genetic modifications, however, Kahaner has repeatedly stated that he achieved results only by selective breeding.
In Israel, there are birds of a new promising breed only on a few small experimental farms, where they are studied rather than kept as poultry. The main problem that prevents these chickens from becoming popular is that they scare people who are engaged in breeding birds.
It's strange, but a bird without feathers and a cat without fur cause us absolutely opposite emotions. Look at these sphinxes — aren't they beautiful?