Naked Neck

Naked Neck chickens, often called Transylvanian Naked Necks or Turkens, are domestic chickens defined by a dominant naked-neck gene that leaves much of the neck bare and reduces feathering on parts of the body. They are not turkey hybrids; the nickname comes from their appearance. The type is long associated with Transylvania and southeastern Europe, but the gene has been used in many farm and research lines around the world. Birds may be kept as a recognized breed in some registries or as a trait within local dual-purpose stock, and they occur in many colors.

The reduced feather cover helps birds shed heat and can make processing easier, which is why Naked Neck lines are valued in warm-climate poultry programs. Backyard keepers usually find them hardy, active, and useful for eggs and meat, though the exposed skin needs shade in strong sun and sensible protection in freezing weather. Breeding naked-neck birds requires attention to the degree of bare skin, because birds carrying one copy and two copies of the gene can look different. Buyers should check whether they are purchasing exhibition Transylvanian Naked Necks, production crossbreds, or local heat-tolerant chickens carrying the same gene.