DOMESTIC Chicken

Scientific name: Gallus gallus domesticus

The Featherless Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) serves as a striking reminder of our growing disconnection from the natural world. Most of us are accustomed to seeing chicken in its stripped-down form—neatly packaged and ready to cook in the supermarket. Yet, when faced with this bird, head still attached, prancing across the stage with an almost uncanny gaze, the shock is palpable. Its bare, plump body, resembling a ballerina in motion, feels unsettling and surreal.

This bird, produced through the cross-breeding of chickens with a naturally occurring featherless (scaleless) mutation, brings to light deeper concerns. The image disturbs many, not only because of its appearance but because it forces us to confront the extent of human interference in shaping animals for our purposes. It challenges us to reflect on the ethical implications of how far we are willing to manipulate nature, all while making us question what we have lost in our separation from it.

Learn more about the More than Human exhibition.