The history of the naked neck is not well known, although they are documented to have existed in Europe since the beginning of the 18th century, having been mentioned in an Austrian poultry book dated from 1701.Winkler and Bakoss presume that the ancestors were brought into the Carpanthian basin from Asia by the conquering Hun at the end of the ninth century.
Other poultry historians cite the fact that the Malagache, one of the fighting breeds from the Malay Peninsula also have no feathers around their neck.
This is a quote from Dean Shuck. “From what I have read the naked neck was originally derived from the Madagascar and the Ga Noi game birds when crossed to common chickens. They supposedly originated in Malasia and S.E. Asia and radiated out from there. The naked necks as a type have been around for several thousand years”.
The name Transylvanian Naked Neck was given to this breed as it was claimed that the modern breed originated in the part of Hungary known as Transylvania. The breed received the name Turken or Churkey as it was also believed that it came about by crossing a chicken with a turkey. (This has long since been disproven. It is chicken through and through).
A farmyard fowl known for its fast growth and good foraging abilities, its popularity spread quickly. They became birds of preference, not only for their relatively good year round laying but also their excellent meat quality; this said to be the result of their “seeking habit” scratching for food regardless of hot or cold weather. Also adding to their popularity was the fact they were very hardy, resistant to diseases and the costs of keeping them were very low.
German fanciers are credited to have perfected the modern exhibition naked neck by taking the common farmyard variety and breeding it into a more consistent form devoid of any feathers on the neck. The first chicken seen at a show was in Vienna in 1875. The birds created quite a stir and the two women were recipients of awards of highest distinction. In 1911 post cards were commissioned illustrating Black, Cuckoo and White Naked Neck varieties.
Naked Necks are documented to have been in Britain from the early 1870’s. They never became popular in Britain as fanciers considered it too much a common farmyard fowl. Lewis Wright wrote in his book from 1890, “By this name is known a curious variety imported from Austria, and in which the feathers are entirely absent from the neck, the head being feathered as usual. The effect is peculiar, but most unpleasant. There is nothing fixed about the birds otherwise, the last pair we saw having the cock feather-legged and the hen bare-legged, and the plumage the commonest barnyard mongrel type.”
Naked Necks appeared in North America in the late 1800’s but never became popular, in part due to the myth they were an inter-species cross. The Department of Ag. declared it a breed and patented the name “Bare-Neck” and assigned it thus.
The gene that causes the neck to be naked and a general reduction of the feather tracts had been isolated by Poultry Geneticist F.B. Hutt in 1949. This gene was designated “Na” as it is a dominant gene; a single dose will cause the offspring to display the bare neck and a reduction in feathers. Many poultry breeders have since made great use of the dominant nature of the Na gene to achieve quick improvements in type or colour crossed to other dual purpose breeds. The Na gene has also been shown to increase breast size and to reduce heat stress. In tropical climates, lower body temperatures, better food conversion rates and increased weight gain are associated with the Na gene. The gene also effects egg size and has been used in Europe to increase egg size in industrial flocks. Transylvanian chickens are not the only birds to have naked necks. Various vultures have featherless necks, presumably to stop blood and gore getting on their plumage. Ostriches and emus, too, are bare-necked to radiate heat away from their necks when they run.
The naked neck chicken’s distinctive feature is caused by a mutation in its DNA. It is expressed in the chicken’s neck because the embryonic neck-skin of birds produces more retinoic acid (a derivative of vitamin A) which enhances a substance called BMP12.
The obvious chief visual characteristic of the naked neck is an absence of feathers around the neck and the vent. The bare skin on the neck continues to the crop while on top of the head there is a small cap, of feathers. Naked necks have between 20% and 60% fewer feathers than breeds of a similar size, making them easier to pluck. They are similar to many other dual-purpose breeds in general shape. They are generally wide shouldered with wings being carried fairly high. The comb is single, of medium size with five well defined points; it is a rich red colour as is its wattles and ear lobes. Eye colour is a reddish brown with beak, shanks and toes being yellow in the lighter colours and slate blue in the darker colour varieties.
Naked Neck hens are good layers of medium to large, light brown eggs. They have a reputation of laying throughout the coldest winter months. Not really known for their broodiness, those that do go broody make excellent mothers. Baby chicks are born with naked necks and are thus easy to recognise in mixed batches. As a breed they are considered docile and very friendly and one of the easiest chickens to tame. They are well suited to hot weather and are surprisingly cold hardy. They have a reputation for actively foraging. If kept outside under good sun exposure their skin will turn bright red. In confinement, the skin colour is usually yellowy-orange to light pink.
BANTAM NAKED NECKS
The first bantam naked necks were created by Herr Karl Huth in Germany. This occurred in the early 1800”s. In 1898 Karl exhibited his bantam naked necks at the German National Poultry show in Frankfurt.
Karl and Mr. Marhold spent over ten years breeding naked neck bantams in black, white, and partridge varieties. The creation of more colour varieties and the formation of breed clubs helped promote the bantam throughout Germany.
Unfortunately W.W. 1 put an end to this and breeders and birds were lost .Mr. Marhold did manage to secure a few birds which became the foundation of the next generation of Bantam Naked Necks.
Mr. Marhold was able to create and exhibit numerous bantam naked necks in various colours. Upon his death he ordered the slaughter of all of his birds and once again they disappeared.
He kept a detailed account of his experiments and breeding secrets and these were published in the 1918 Yearbook of the Bantam Breeders Association.
There were three other breeders of bantam naked necks and they all ordered the slaughter of their birds upon their deaths.
In 1932 Bernhard Noack near Berlin, started the task of creating bantams that bred true to colour and size. He became one of the greatest promoters of naked necks in Europe. Once again the naked neck enjoyed a rise in popularity, but it was short-lived.
At this time the political climate in Germany had radically changed. The Nazis were “racial cleansing” not only persons but animals associated with'' inferior races" It was declared the naked neck was not Germanic enough and removed from the eligible breeds list. By the time the disqualification was realised as a mistake it was too late and once again the breed disappeared.
The Dutch Poultry Standards recognise Black, Cuckoo and White colour varieties of Bantam naked necks. Weights are cocks 750 – 800g. Hens 650 – 700g.
The German Poultry Assoc. Recognise naked necks in both single comb and rose comb in the following colour varieties:- S.C. black, white blue-laced, red, buff, cuckoo, wild brown, silver pencilled, millefleur or jubilee.
Throughout the late 1940’s, early 50’s various breeders experimented with the creation of the bantam naked neck. The breed was created by the late 1950’s. Currently Germany has the largest base of breeders and fanciers in both the standard and bantam.