An Israeli university researcher has created a new breed of chicken that he claims will flourish in warm climates typically not conducive to chicken
production.
Hebrew University's Mr Avigdor Cahaner has crossbred a normal brolier chicken with a smaller chicken that possessed the naturally occuring "naked neck" gene.
The result is a bald form of poultry that could potentially fare well in warmer developing countries that are not normally able to afford expensive cooling devices necessary to keep chicken alive.
Mr Cahaner also claims that his new foul are more environmentally sound than feathered chickens. Because the genetically-engineered featherless chickens do not have to be plucked, there is less electrical energy and water used and thus farmers save time and money while reducing feather waste, he says.
"Defeathering means all the feathers are dumped along with a lot of wasted water and electricity," Cahaner said. "We're talking about sustainable agriculture. Farming should be aimed at reducing waste."
Cahaner expects the birds could be commercially produced within two years, but warns that this particular breed will not do well in all climates-they might catch cold in more temperate regions.
