Naked Neck Chicken

     The Naked Neck, or the Transylvanian Naked Neck, is a Chicken breed naturally devoid of feathers on its neck and vent. It’s thought that Naked Neck chickens originated in Transylvania, but the bird was seen in different places across Europe and the Middle East. It’s not clear where the exact origin of the bird is, but the modern Naked Necks we see today, were largely developed in Germany. The bird has another name which is “Turken” (the name arose from the mistaken idea that it was a hybrid of a chicken and the domestic Turkey).

     Naked Neck chickens are practical dual-purpose utility fowls. The hens lay a respectable number of light brown eggs and can go broody too. Naked Necks are considered desirable for meat production, because they need less plucking (this breed has approximately half the feathers of other chickens of the same size). They have also meaty bodies (the protein they consume is used more efficiently in producing meat and eggs instead of going to the feathers, as they have fewer of them). Not only that, but also Naked Neck chickens are very good foragers so they get a good portion of their food by themselves, and immune to most diseases.

     The Naked Neck can cope remarkably well in very hot climates. It’s also reasonably cold hardy, though it hasn’t got much of feathers. Naked Neck chickens have single combs, red earlobes, and bright red neck and head due to the increased sun exposure. They are also available in several color-varieties that include; black, white, cuckoo, buff, red and blue. A bantam version is also available for the Naked Neck chicken.