Naked Neck Chicken

Looks how to spot one

feathers

The most striking feature is the bare, featherless neck and vent area, which gives the bird a turkey-like appearance. The rest of the body is normally feathered, and the skin on the neck turns bright red in sunlight. They have about half the feathers of a typical chicken, making them look stocky and robust.1

Personality what they are like

Naked Necks are extremely docile, friendly and easy to handle. They are calm and gentle, making them a good choice for families. They are active foragers but not flighty, and they rarely go broody.45

Daily activity how busy a day looks

They love to free-range and forage all day, searching for vegetation and insects. They are not good fliers due to their stocky build and reduced feathers, so they need safe, enclosed runs to protect them from predators.4

Grooming and care the hands-on bits

Check the bare skin on the neck and vent weekly for scratches, sunburn or wounds. Keep the coop dry and well-ventilated to prevent frostbite on the comb and wattles in winter. Provide shade in summer to avoid overheating.56

Home where they are happiest

Each bird needs at least 4 square feet inside the coop and 8-10 inches of roosting space. A small flock of 6 birds requires roughly 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run. The coop must be dry, draft-free and well-ventilated. Provide shade in summer and wind protection in winter.36

Food basics what goes in the bowl

Chicks need a starter feed with at least 20% protein for the first 8 weeks. Adults do well on a layer feed with 15-17% protein. They are excellent foragers and will supplement their diet with insects, vegetation and kitchen scraps. Always provide clean water and grit.37

Company who they like around

Naked Necks are sociable and do best in a flock. They are calm and get along well with other chickens. They are not aggressive and are easy to integrate into mixed flocks. They are not known to be illegal or protected in any country.4

The story where it all began

The Naked Neck chicken is an ancient breed thought to have originated in Asia, where it was used for cockfighting and is depicted in old Japanese paintings. It was later brought to Transylvania (now part of Romania), where it was documented by the late 19th century. From there it spread to Germany, where it was refined, and then to the rest of Europe and the Americas. The breed was introduced to Britain in the 1920s and was recognised by the American Poultry Association in 1965. The name 'Turken' came from the mistaken belief that it was a hybrid of a chicken and a turkey. Its practical value in hot, humid climates helped it survive, as the bare neck allows better heat dissipation.18

Recognised by the official bits

American Poultry Association

Recognised since 1965 in the 'all other breeds' class1

Poultry Club of Great Britain

Classified as rare soft feather: heavy1