Featherless Chickens! Just had to post this pic!

[silkiechicken]

That's like a turken selectively breed too far! I believe it was the turken that was used as the basis and over a good number of generations eventually led to a "naked" chicken.

Although I am not sure if they ever implemented such birds. I think the reasoning behind it was for hot areas where the feathers and heat were a large issue and people could not afford climate control buildings for meat production. The cultural stigma of a "naked" chicken, and the sun burn ability of the birds probably let the project wane off.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
Artificial insemination.

I imagine their skin is quite tough being exposed like it is. Could have been another drawback for the project.

 

[Katy]

Those are as scary looking as furless cats!!

 

[kdcrws]

r u all sure that's for real & not photo shopped? cause if it's real that's just gross

 

[Guitartists]

Quote:
Or some BUTTER! That removes 2 steps from the process of eating them! LMAO All kidding aside though.... poor birds, that just doesn't seem right or comfortable.

 

[bluey]

That looks creepy. That can't be real, can it?

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Yes, they're real. Here's the article about their development:

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn2307-featherless-chicken-creates-a-flap.html

And where the photo (that the OP posted) came from:

http://news.yahoo.com/nphotos/feath...08_09_18t154218_450x334_us_food_modified_fda/


They are not genetically altered. They were selectively bred to be featherless, as Silkiechicken mentioned in her post, using the Turken breed.

 

[ronniega1]

that is the funnest thing i have ever seen.....i wonder how they got that way.....ronnie

 

[Mycookoonest]

So I take it winters are out for them. Looks like it's the beach life!

 

[pixiechick]

Usually, naked stuff is funny to me, but I think those poor things are pitiful.