As human civilization extends its reach to Mars, our culinary culture undergoes a unique transformation, transitioning from a focus on singular food sources toward food diversity. Earth’s traditional live animal meat will become an extraordinary rarity. The cultivation of live chicken meat on Mars will require extensive human intervention and consume vast resources. The development of genetically modified breeds and cultivation methods tailored to the unique physical conditions of Mars makes this chicken farm appear exceptionally distinct.
In a low-gravity environment, the muscles of chickens no longer need to support themselves, and also require less energy to move, making them prone to muscle loss. This could be a disaster for the poultry industry. However, when myostatin—a protein that inhibits muscle growth—is lacking, it can lead to a condition called double muscling. Through genetic modification, Breeds specifically suited to the Martian environment could be created, and able to adapt to the climate and environment of the planet. This suggests the possibility of a completely human-designed Martian farming system and perhaps even an entire ecosystem.