The Naked Neck chicken is a unique breed with red to dark pink color bare neck. Mostly raised by poultry farmers who want to add something different to their flocks. People know this breed as the Turken chicken or the Transylvanian Naked Neck chicken.
The conservation status of the Naked Neck chicken has been studied, and interest in the breed continues to grow. Many farmers now keep them, and some breeders raise Turken chickens specifically for sale in local markets.
What makes them stand out is the bare neck without feathers, giving them a turkey-like appearance that is distinctive from other chicken breeds.
In this article, we provide a complete guide on the Naked Neck chicken breed, which will help you understand their origin, care, egg production, and overall management more easily.
Also read: 21 Bare Facts About the Naked Neck Chicken (Turken)
Naked Neck Chicken (Turken Chicken): Introduction
The Naked Neck chicken is recognized as a unique breed due to its natural lack of feathers on the neck. These featherless-neck birds are hardy, attractive, and easy to raise, which makes them popular among poultry keepers.
The bare neck trait occurs in both hens and roosters. Farmers often call them the Transylvanian Naked Neck, and they are popularly known as Turken chickens.
History and Origin of Naked Neck Chicken
The Naked Neck chicken (also known as Turken) has somewhat uncertain origins. Some evidence suggests the trait may have appeared in Asia, but the breed became more established in Transylvania, Romania, by the late 19th century.
Over time, German and Austrian breeders refined the birds and spread them across Europe. The nickname “Turken” emerged from early confusion: breeders thought the bird was a cross between a chicken and a turkey, due to its featherless neck.
Today, Naked Neck chickens are fairly common in Europe but remain rare in North America, though they are more widely found in parts of South America.
The trait is governed by a single dominant gene (Na)—making it possible to introduce the trait into other chicken breeds. The American Poultry Association officially recognized the Naked Neck breed in 1965, while the birds had already been known in Britain since around the 1920s.
Lifespan
These Naked Neck chickens can have a lifespan of 7 to 10 years, making them a long-term addition to a flock. They are valued as a dual-purpose breed, offering decent egg production (often around 220-280 eggs/year) and good meat utility.
Temperament of Naked Neck Turkens
The Transylvanian Naked Neck chicken are very hardy, active and vigorous birds. Hens of this breeds rarely go angry but you may see some aggressiveness in roosters. They love to live in both cold and hot climates.
Also the Naked Neck hens make good mother and mostly go broody. They take care of their childrens very efficiently and make them alert in every danger situation.
Egg Production
Although some claim Naked Neck chickens lay only ~150 eggs per year, more reliable sources report much higher yields. A typical Turken hen can lay about 3 to 4 medium-to-large eggs per week, which translates to 150–200 eggs annually.
In more ambitious strains or under optimal conditions, some birds may reach up to 220 eggs per year.
These eggs are usually light brown and of medium to large size, consistent with most dual-purpose breeds.
Do keep in mind: actual egg count will depend on strain, diet, management, and climate. Winter and poor nutrition can reduce output.
Characteristics of Naked Neck Chickens
The Naked Neck chicken, or often called the Turken, is an unusual breed that many farmers and backyard chicken keepers enjoy.
They are unique because of their bare neck and less feathers, which make them both useful and aesthetic.
Colors
Speaking of colors, Naked Necks have various breathtaking colors. In the U.S., the American Poultry Association (APA) accepts black, white, buff, and red Naked Necks.
In the UK, you can also find them in patterns such as cuckoo and blue. The skin on their bare necks often glows bright red in the sunshine and when it is cooler, it can look pink and light yellow. Most of the body skin is yellow!
Size and Weight
The chickens are of medium to large size, with standard roosters weighing around 8.5 pounds and hens slightly less at around 6.5 pounds.
For smaller birds, both types of bantams weigh less, with the roosters around 2.1 pounds and hens around 1.9 pounds. Their size makes them perfect for meat production while also being good egg layers.
Also read: Best weighing scales for your poultry farm
Apperance
The Naked Neck is broad and well-proportioned with a deep breast. Because these birds have naturally less feathering (40-50% less) than most breeds, they are easier to pluck for meat production and they remain cooler in hot weather.
They have a single upright red comb, full red wattles, red earlobes, and bright reddish-bay eyes. Their legs and beak colors typically match their feathering: yellow on the lighter birds and horn or slate shades on the darker ones.
Their wonderfully naked neck, combined with their solid appearance and confident demeanor, makes Naked Necks one of the most remarkable and memorable chicken breeds in the world.
Other Characteristics of the Naked Neck (Turken) Chicken
Naked Neck chickens are sought after for reasons beyond their strange looks. Because they have less feathering, they are feed-efficient birds, meaning more of the protein consumed goes toward eggs, growth and meat instead of fluff.
They are good foragers and do well within free-range situations, although many strains do quite well with confinement as well.
They are also calm and friendly; most caretakers describe them as docile and tame.
These Turken chickens are also relatively cold-hardy, and can withstand cooler climates if housed properly, despite having less feathering.
Benefits of Raising Naked Neck Chicken Breed
7-8 week naked neck baby chick picture
Feed Efficiency: Naked Neck chickens have roughly 40-50% less feather growth than other breeds. Consequently, less protein goes to feather production and more is allocated to body weight and egg mass, which makes them cost-effective and efficient to raise.
Heat Tolerance: Naked Necks are able to dissipate heat more easily due to their decreased feathering. Consequently, Naked Necks are able to remain productive in warmer climates (many fully-feathered chickens will slow down or stop laying in warmer climates), they will stay cooler after consuming feed that provides them energy.
Dual-Purpose Utility: Naked Necks are reliable dual-purpose birds due to their productivity yielding eggs and meat. Naked Neck hens are good layers of light brown eggs, and naked necks tend to be larger carcasses that are more easily harvested for meat.
Hardiness & Resilience: Naked Necks are hardy birds despite their unusual appearance because they function well in various climates and living conditions. They thrive in both free-range and confined conditions, if they have proper shelter.
Gentle Temperament: These chickens are peaceful, gentle, and easy to handle. Their sociable temperament makes them great for backyard keepers, families with children, and mixed flocks.
Lower Parasite Load: Naked Necks have fewer feathers than other birds, meaning parasites, like lice or mite, have fewer hiding spaces – making it easier to look after their health than a fully feathered breed.
Unique Look: Their bare neck look makes them recognizably different from other chickens. Many people find their unusual appearance interesting and it also may add value if you are breeding or selling poultry.
Good Foraging Ability: Naked Necks are active and foraging chickens, scratching for insects, seeds, and greens. This behavior will not only supplement their diet but help ease feed costs in the long run.
Processing Convenience: The reduction in feathering greatly speeds up and simplifies the plucking process during meat processing. This saves labor and produces a cleaner carcass with less effort.
Energy Efficiency for Growth and Meat Quality: The naked-neck gene directs energy away from feather development to muscle development. This reduces energy wasted on feathers and can enhance breast size and meat quality in some cases compared to fully feathered birds.
Problems in Raising Naked Neck Chicken
Aggressive Roosters: Although hens tend to be fairly serene and placid, roosters may sometimes act aggressively and/or with a sense of dominance. When integrating Naked Neck roosters into a mixed flock, it is important for a farmer to stay alert, for the roosters may try and take over by pecking at or chasing other birds.
Risk of Sunburn: Naked Necks do not have any feathers on their neck, nor on the upper half of their body, which makes them more likely to get sunburnt, especially if kept in a hot, sunny climate. Without shade or any cover, their upper exposed skin may get red or blistered. Providing them with extra precaution (providing shade or other cover that is safe) helps them.
Less Decorative Appeal: One attraction of ornamental bird types is their flamboyant plumage. Because Naked Necks do not have facial appeal to everyone, if a person wants to have bright or attractive color in their poultry, they cannot count on Naked Necks to fulfill the need. Others get hung up on the Naked Neck’s unattractiveness, and consequently feel divided in their opinion about the breed of chicken.
Cold Sensitivity: They have fewer feathers than most breeds and therefore are not insulated well for the cold winter months. They still may be able to deal adequately with the cold winter months at night in housing, but if they are raised in an environment with frost and/or wind chill, they need additional protection if they are to be able to stand the winter months compared to other types of chicken, particularly those that are heavily feathered.
Breed Misunderstanding: Some new keepers mistake the Naked Neck’s appearance for a sign of disease or feather loss. This misconception can lead to an unnecessary worry or hesitance to raise this unique breed. It is good as a keep in mind that their appearance is natural before committing.
How To Care Naked Neck Chickens
It is not complicated to raise Naked Neck chickens, however, due to their distinctive feathering pattern, they require a little more attention in certain areas.
With proper housing, nutrition, and protection, they can do well in the backyard, along with other chickens or on the farm.
Here is a list of important guidelines to remember when caring for your Turken chickens:
Housing & Space Needs
Each bird should have at least 4–6 square feet of coop floor space to avoid overcrowding and for air circulation. When they are allowed to free-range, they like room to roam, scratch and forage. Provide a predator-proof coop with good ventilation, and keep bedding dry and fresh to minimize respiratory and foot problems.
Temperature & Weather Protection
The Naked Necks tolerate heat better than many breeds, however, they will need shelter in cold weather. Insulation, or some gentle heat source during freezing temperatures at night is advisable. To prevent frostbite in exposed areas of the bird such as the comb and neck, ensure that they remain dry and do not have cold drafts.
Diet & Nutrition
While they are growing (prior to laying), provide starter or grower feed. When they begin laying, switch to layer feed which contains around 15–17% protein, and add grit as well as calcium, as needed. Ultimately, you will want to supplement their diet with greens, insects or other kitchen scraps in moderation.
Health & Parasite Care
Though they have few feathers, it is still important to check the birds regularly for signs of mites, lice or skin irritation — especially around the bare neck. Dust baths are critical and should be provided.
Protection from Shade & Sun
Chickens have bare skin on their necks, so they are susceptible to sunburn. Make sure there are shaded areas in their run and a sheltered area in their coop. During the hottest sun, temporary covers or natural shade will help protect their bare skin.
Roosting & Perching
Be sure to install perches low enough so that birds can safely land, but high enough to avoid drafts– this is based on your coop’s design! We suggest width enough, so their feet adequately roost on to support the weight of a full-bodied chicken. Avoid narrow or unstable roosts.
Nesting & Egg Collection
Provide nesting boxes that size about 12 inches by 12 inches by 18 inches, in ratio of 1 for every 3 or 4 hens. Line boxes with soft bedding, keep them clean, and ensure hens can enter and exit nests efficiently. Proper nesting covers all phases of egg-laying, ensuring laying will go on uninterrupted, as well less chance of breakage!
FAQs About Naked Neck (Turken) Chickens
1. What is a Turken?
A. Turken is also known as the Naked Neck chicken, a breed that has fewer feathers beause of breeding and adaptation, particularly on its neck and vent. Despite the name, Turkens are not a hybrid bird created from turkeys mating with chickens, despite what has been claimed as fact. The breed originated in Transylvania and perpetuated in Germany. They are known as dual-purpose birds raised for eggs and meat, and recognized by poultry associations around the world.
2. How many eggs do Turken chickens lay?
Turkey hens are excellent layers and will generally lay around 150–200 light brown eggs in a year, or 3–4 eggs per week with care. Some strains will reach up to 220 eggs in a year, as well, if fed and managed properly. The eggs of turkey hens will be medium to large. Although turkey hens are not as prolific as highly production layers, their steady production and aspects of meat ability in turkeys for food is a very good contribution to dual-purpose ability.
3. What color eggs do Turkens lay?
Most Naked Neck hens will produce light brown eggs, which is characteristic of many dual-purpose chicken breeds. While there may be slight variation in egg color represented by the hen’s genes, you can expect a consistent medium brown color. The color of eggs does not determine their flavor or nutritional value and Turken eggs are just as good quality and size compared to popular backyard chicken breeds such as Plymouth Rocks or Rhode Island Reds.
4. How long do Naked Neck chickens live?
With proper care, Naked Neck chickens usually live from 6 to 8 years, although in backyard or small-flock situations, some may even live 10 years. The small amount of feathers may give them some advantage in dealing with heat, but they will require more protection from the cold than full-feathered birds. Most factors that influence the lifespan of a chicken apply equally to Naked Neck chickens, including housing, nutrition, predator protection, and healthcare.
5. Are Naked Neck chickens friendly?
Indeed, Naked Necks are recognized for their tameness and gentleness. They adapt very quickly, making them great for households and small flocks. While the roosters may have occasional dominant behavior, the hens stay calm and are often friendly with other breeds. Their friendly disposition, together with their hardy and low upkeep traits, make them a great choice for beginner chicken keepers.
6. How to Keep a Naked Neck Chicken Warm in The Winter?
Most of the Naked Neck chickens easily survive in cold weather conditions. Hoever they may required some additional support in freezy cold and snowy areas.
You may use some good heaters for chicken coops and brooders to keep the coop and flocks warm. This will also allow the Naked Neck Hens to keep laying during the winters.
Summary
In many regions, farming the Naked Neck chicken also known as the Turken has become common. The popularity of this breed continues to rise because it is a dual-purpose chicken valued for both meat and egg production.
This breed is an excellent choice for farmers and backyard keepers who want reliable egg layers and good table birds in one flock. Many breeders actively seek out Turken chickens for their poultry farms, and they are now raised in areas across the world where the breed is available.
The unique specialty of the Transylvanian Naked Neck chicken is its natural lack of feathers on the neck and vent. If you want to add a distinctive, hardy, and practical bird to your flock, the Turken chicken breed is one of the best options.
