Transylvanian Naked Necks AKA Turken

 

Why did I add Naked Necks to the household flock?

I did a bit of research on them over the years. Some studied indicate chickens with Naked Neck genetics put on a little more meat than their brothers and sisters without the gene. In addition they have 20% less feather than a normally feathered chicken. Thus if I ever decided to raise chickens for meat plucking feathers would be easier. They are known to be tasty. They do well in hot weather. They lay browning eggs normally. They are gentle and good with children supposedly. Finally they look interesting to me and I like them.

I plan to do some cross breeding experiments with them as part of demonstrating how genetics work. The Naked Neck gene is a dominant gene. 1 naked neck gene gets you birds with a tuft of feathers (the bow tie) on their neck, a chicken with 2 genes has no bow tie, and a chicken without the gene has normal feathering on their necks.

Some Basic Information from Cackle Hatchery, other hatcheries, various websites and notes I have taken over the years

• Poultry Show Class: Miscellaneous Class
• Weights: Hen ——-6 1/2 lbs
  Rooster—-8 1/2 lb
  Pullet——-5 1/2 lbs
  Cockerel—7 1/2 lbs
• Purpose and Type: Primary production, Egg Laying & Pet/Secondary meat source
• Egg Shell Color: Light Brown
• Egg Production: 180-240 eggs per year, estimate 
• Egg Size: Medium-Large
• Age of Lay: 6 months
• Earlobes: Red
• Beak: Yellow
• Comb: Single
• Eyes: Reddish Bay
• Skin: Yellow
• Shanks: Yellow
• Temperament: Docile
• Feed Efficiency: High
• Gender Accuracy: 80-85%
• Fertility Percentage: 55-70%
• Broody: Setter
• Mating Ratio: 10 Females to 1 Male
• Roost Height: 2 to 4 feet
• Country of Origin: Eastern Hungary
• Feather Type: Soft
• Feather Colors

• Black

• Blue

• Blue Laced

• Blue Laced Red

• Buff

• Cuckoo

• Dun

• Mottled

• Partridge

• Red

• Splash

• White