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If you enter the query “turkey-chicken hybrid” into a search service, the search engine will probably return photos of chickens with a bare red neck, similar to the neck of an angry turkey. Not actually a hybrid in the photo. This is a bare-necked breed of chicken that appeared as a result of mutation.
The breed is believed to originate from Transylvania. But this opinion is controversial, since they have only just begun to spread across Europe from Romania and Hungary. In these countries they were called Semigrad Golosheks. Spain, more precisely, Andalusia, also claims to be the author of the breed. Bare-necked Transylvanian (Spanish) chickens are especially common in Germany and France. France has already developed its own breed, which is not related to the Transylvanian bare-necked chickens. However, holo-necks are very rare in England and unknown in the USA.
The name is formed from the traditional compilation of the names of the parent species for hybrids. It took root due to confusion when genetic research was not yet developed and it was believed that the bare-necked chicken was a hybrid of a turkey and a chicken. In fact, the North American turkey does not interbreed with any of the pheasant species, and the bare-necked chicken is a purebred bird belonging to the species of banker chickens.
Although the breed is not found in the United States, the American Poultry Association recognized it in 1965. The bare-necked chicken was first shown in Great Britain in 1920. In the CIS, the Transylvanian (or Spanish) version of bare-necked chickens is bred.
The photo shows bare-necked roosters. On the left is a Spanish bareneck, on the right is a French nakedneck.
Compared to the French version, Spanish chickens more closely resemble an angry turkey.
Description of the naked breed of chickens
Large chicken for meat and egg production. The average weight of a rooster is 3.9 kg, a chicken is 3 kg. Egg productivity is low. Chickens lay no more than 160 eggs per year. The eggs are large, weighing 55-60 g. The shell of the eggs can be white or beige. Due to the small number of eggs, it is not profitable to breed barenecks only as an egg breed. But bare-necked hens reach egg-laying age at 5.5-6 months, so culled chickens and unnecessary roosters can be used as broilers. By 4 months, chickens reach a weight of more than 2 kg, which is a good result for a non-specialized breed, although broilers grow faster.
The main difference between this breed and other chickens is the naked neck, which is caused by a dominant mutation, which is why naked-necked chickens are born when crossed with ordinary chickens. Moreover, chickens have a bare neck from the moment they hatch from the egg. The lack of down and feathers on the necks of chickens is caused by underdevelopment of feather follicles.
Heterozygous bare-necked chickens have average feathering scores between regular and naked-necked chickens.
The homozygous callotch has not only a completely naked neck, but also unfeathered areas under the wings: apteria. There are small bare areas on the shins as well. In general, chickens of this breed have only half the feathers of the norm.
In fact, there is nothing wrong with the birds, this is their normal appearance. But precisely because of this specific appearance, bare necks are not popular among farmers.
Breed standard
The head is small and wide. The comb can be either leaf-shaped or rose-shaped. On a leaf-shaped comb, the teeth should be “cut” into the same shape. The front part of the crest slightly extends over the beak. The back of the head and the crown are covered with feathers. The face is red. Earrings and earlobes are red. Bare-necked chickens have orange-red eyes. The beak can be yellow or dark, slightly curved.
The skin on the neck is rough, often with “bulbs” similar to those on the neck of a turkey. The neck is completely devoid of feathers right down to the crop.
The body is elongated. The chest is round, with well-developed muscles. The back is straight. The topline appears smoothly curved due to the low, high-set tail.
The tail braids are wide, but short and barely cover the tail feathers. An option with long but sparse braids is possible. The wings are slightly lowered. Legs are short and strong. In “colored” bare-necked chickens, the metatarsals are yellow-orange or gray in color. Exception: white body color. In this case, the metatarsus may be white.
The colors of bare-necked chickens are quite varied. The UK standard allows for white, black, red, red, cuckoo and lavender. In the USA, only 4 varieties are allowed: black, white, red and tan. At the same time, Transylvanian bare-necked chickens have not become widespread in these countries.
Defects of the standard
In most cases, these signs indicate that the chicken is not purebred:
- white earrings;
- dark eyes;
- black face;
- feathered neck and inner part of the lower leg;
- elegant body;
- yellow skin on exposed areas.
Since the Na gene is dominant, naked necks can occur in crosses between bare-necked and regular chickens. But in the case of a crossbred bird, any of the characteristics will definitely deviate from the breed standard.
Pros of the breed
Although the egg production of these chickens is low, only 2 eggs per week, they are kept as a gene pool for breeding other breeds, including broilers. Oddly enough, naked Transylvanian chickens are not afraid of cold weather, and heat is their element.
Studies have shown that the hairless neck gene in homozygous non-broiler chickens reduces heat stress and improves breast size. In hot countries, the Na gene is specially introduced into broiler strains, as it increases the weight of broiler chickens, reduces body temperature, improves feed conversion and carcass quality compared to conventional well-feathered broilers.
The collards carry well even at low air temperatures. True, at 1-4°C, egg production decreases, and at sub-zero temperatures in the chicken coop, they completely stop laying eggs. The optimal temperature in the chicken coop in winter is 12-14°C.
Holoshecks have a calm character, easily getting along with other chickens. Due to the characteristics of the plumage, the carcass of the bareneck is easier to pluck than that of any other chicken. You can also get meat from them that is close in quality to turkey.
Cons of the breed
The disadvantages include the unpresentable appearance of the birds. Because of their appearance, not many farmers dare to keep Transylvanian naked necks.
The second disadvantage is the poorly developed maternal instinct. The robin can even make a nest, lay eggs and sit on them. And then suddenly “forget” about the nest. For this reason, it is better to hatch bare-necked chickens by incubating them or laying eggs under other hens.
The productivity of roosters is average, so it cannot be classified as either a plus or a minus.
Diet of adult barenecks and chicks
There is no problem with what to feed bare-necked chickens. Holoshecks are unpretentious to feed. Their diet includes the same components as the diet of ordinary chickens: grain, grass, root vegetables, animal proteins, feed chalk or shells. The only difference: in cold climates in winter, barenecks need energy feed. During frosts, bare-necked animals increase the proportion of grain and animal feed in their diet. A good solution would be to feed Transylvanian females with balanced feed containing all the necessary elements. In this case, in winter you can slightly increase the norm.
Like any laying hen, an obese chick will stop laying eggs.
Chickens are raised either on starter feed or make their own feed. In the latter case, the diet of bare-necked chicken must necessarily include animal proteins and fish oil to prevent rickets. The wet mash includes grated carrots, beets, finely chopped vegetable tops or herbs.
Reviews from owners of bare-necked chickens
Conclusion
The bare-necked Transylvanian breed cannot become widespread due to its appearance. Although in other respects this is a good meat and egg chicken, almost ideal for breeding in your own backyard. A special advantage of the breed is the high survival rate of chickens.Connoisseurs highly value chickens of this breed and believe that over time, bare-necked Transylvanians will take their rightful place in poultry yards.
