Poultry
Naked Neck
C tier
Naked Neck is a distinctive chicken type marked by a largely featherless neck and reduced overall plumage, a trait linked to a dominant gene that improves heat tolerance and ease of plucking. Often called Turken in casual trade, birds may be pure Transylvanian Naked Neck stock or commercial crosses carrying the naked-neck gene for free-range and hot-climate production. Meat is mild, lean poultry with good skin crispness where feather cover is light; dual-purpose and broiler strains supply roasting birds, while purebreds also appear in smallholder and heritage markets. The open neck and sparse feathering suit outdoor systems in warm regions better than heavily feathered cold-climate breeds.
Also known as: Transylvanian Naked Neck, Erdélyi kopasznyakú, Cou nu, Turken, Pescoço pelado
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Characteristics
Preparations
Traits
Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
Naked-necked landrace fowl were kept in Transylvania and neighbouring Carpathian regions for table meat and eggs in mixed village flocks.
Central European shows and farm literature described Transylvanian Naked Necks as a recognisable type with bare necks and hardy outdoor performance.
Naked Neck stock entered North American trade under informal names such as Turken, spreading the gene beyond European landrace flocks.
Poultry geneticists documented the Na naked-neck allele and its effects on heat stress, feather cover, and carcass dressing yield.
Commercial breeders incorporated naked-neck genetics into coloured and slow-growing broilers for free-range programmes in warm climates.
Heritage and Label-style markets revived interest in pure Transylvanian Naked Necks alongside hybrid naked-neck meat birds.