Feather coverage is greatly reduced on the birds
Scientists have bred a controversial featherless chicken which they say is faster growing.
The birds, created at the Hebrew University in Israel, will not need to be plucked, saving money in processing plants.
While the researcher behind the breed concedes that they would not be suitable for cooler countries, he says that in hot climates, the birds would fare better.
It's a normal chicken except for the fact it has no feathers
Professor Avigdor Cahaner
However, opponents of the move say that the changes do not benefit the animals, and are in fact likely to make their lives worse.
Professor Avigdor Cahaner, who led the project, told the BBC: "This is not a genetically modified chicken - it comes from a natural breed whose characteristics have been known for 50 years.
