Naked Neck (Turken)
Dual purposeTransylvania (Romania)Beginner friendly
Yes, that bare neck is supposed to look like that. The Naked Neck carries a gene that cuts its feather count dramatically, which makes it outstanding in hot climates — and, surprisingly, still respectable in cold ones. Underneath the odd looks is one of the friendliest, most practical homestead birds around.
Eggs per year
150–200
Egg color
Light brown
Egg size
Medium
Hen weight
6–7 lbs
Temperament
Calm and friendly
Broodiness
Sometimes broody
Did you know?
Despite the "Turken" nickname, there's no turkey in it whatsoever — a single dominant gene is responsible for the whole look.
Naked Neck (Turken) egg production
Expect roughly 150–200 light brown eggs a year from a Naked Neck (Turken) in her prime — about 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over the course of a year. That makes it a solid, dependable layer. Production naturally dips during the annual molt and the short days of winter, and eases off as a hen ages past her second or third year. Most pullets lay their first egg somewhere between five and eight months old.
Temperament & handling
The Naked Neck (Turken) is generally described as calm and friendly. These are calm, people-oriented birds that tolerate handling well and settle into a backyard flock without much fuss — a big part of why they're such a common first breed.
Climate & care
Rated cold-hardy, the Naked Neck (Turken) rides out hard winters well as long as the coop stays dry and draft-free — keep drinking water from freezing and watch combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze. It handles summer heat comfortably too, given shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Broodiness & raising chicks
A Naked Neck (Turken)hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't something to count on — if hatching chicks matters to you, plan on an incubator and our incubation calculator.
Space & feeding
A Naked Neck (Turken) hen is a large bird at 6–7 lbs. As a rule of thumb, a small flock of 6 would want around 24 sq ft of coop and 60 sq ft of run, with about 2 nest boxes and 5 ft of roost. Size it to your own flock with the coop size calculator, and estimate the monthly feed bill — and your real cost per egg — with the feed cost calculator.
Is the Naked Neck (Turken) right for you?
A great fit if…
- You want a dependable supply of eggs
- You're new to chickens and want a forgiving bird
- You want a calm bird that's good around children
- You want both eggs and a solid table bird
- You get real winters and need a hardy bird
Think twice if…
- You want the absolute maximum egg output
Naked Neck (Turken) FAQ
- How many eggs do Naked Neck (Turken) chickens lay?
- A healthy Naked Neck (Turken) hen lays about 150–200 light brown eggs a year — roughly 3–4 a week, or 13–17 dozen over a year. Output drops during winter and the annual molt, and eases as a hen ages.
- What color eggs do Naked Neck (Turken)s lay?
- Naked Neck (Turken)s lay light brown eggs, medium in size.
- How big do Naked Neck (Turken) chickens get?
- A Naked Neck (Turken) hen weighs roughly 6–7 lbs — a large bird — with roosters running a little heavier.
- Are Naked Neck (Turken)s cold-hardy?
- Yes. The Naked Neck (Turken) is rated cold-hardy and rides out hard winters well, provided the coop stays dry and draft-free. Keep water from freezing and check combs and wattles for frostbite in a deep freeze.
- Are Naked Neck (Turken)s good for beginners?
- Yes. The Naked Neck (Turken) is a forgiving, calm and friendly breed that suits first-time keepers well.
- Do Naked Neck (Turken) hens go broody?
- Sometimes. A Naked Neck (Turken) hen may go broody now and then, but it isn't guaranteed — plan on an incubator if hatching matters to you.
The Naked Neck (Turken) shows up in
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Keeping Naked Neck (Turken)s?
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