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Naked Neck chicken breed portrait

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Naked Neck

Also known as: Turken, Transylvanian Naked Neck

Bare-necked breed — looks half turkey, half chicken.

🐣 Beginner friendly❄ Cold hardy☀ Heat hardy
Egg color
brown
Eggs / year
180
Egg size
large
Purpose
dual
Class
Continental
Size
large
Hen weight
6.5 lbs
Rooster weight
8.5 lbs
Temperament
calm, friendly, unusual
Noise level
quiet
Origin
Hungary/Romania
Lifespan
7-8 yrs

About the Naked Neck

The Naked Neck is characterized by its lack of feathers on the neck, giving it a distinct appearance that resembles both chickens and turkeys. Their bodies are robust, with a broad chest and a friendly temperament, making them wonderful additions to backyard flocks. Despite their unusual look, they are generally well-loved for their calm nature and good mothering instincts.

History

This breed is believed to have originated in the early 1900s in Hungary and Romania, where it was valued for both meat and egg production. The Naked Neck gained popularity over the years and has spread to various countries, admired for its hardiness and adaptability to different climates.

Care tips

Naked Necks are quite hardy and adapt well to a variety of living conditions, but they do benefit from extra warmth in colder weather due to their missing neck feathers. They are generally good foragers and require sufficient space to roam. Regular checkups for skin irritations are advisable since their bare necks can be susceptible to sunburn.

Color varieties

redwhiteblackbuffcuckoo

Fun facts

  • Naked Necks are known for being friendly and gentle pets.
  • They are excellent foragers, thriving on a diverse diet.
  • This breed can be quite broody, making them good mothers.
  • Despite their odd appearance, they are efficient egg layers.
Reviewed by the ChickenCoops.ai Editorial Team
Content is written and reviewed by our team of backyard chicken keepers, veterinary technicians, and community moderators. Aggregate data pulls nightly from our own platform. Last reviewed July 13, 2026.