Description
Turken (Naked Neck) Chicken
Breed Overview and Origin
The Turken “Naked Neck” chicken is one of the most unusual-looking birds you can add to a flock. At first glance, people often think it must be part turkey, but it is 100% chicken. The bare neck comes from a natural chicken trait, not a turkey cross.
Originally called the Naked Neck, this breed traces back to Eastern Europe, with many accounts pointing to Eastern Hungary and Transylvania. The bare-neck trait became useful because fewer neck feathers made the birds easier to pluck for meat and helped them handle hot weather better. Older conservation sources note that Naked Neck chickens have documented history going back to at least 1810 and may be much older.
If you want a chicken that is gentle, useful, heat tolerant, and sure to start conversations, Turkens are hard to beat. They lay brown eggs, carry good body size, and work well for both backyard eggs and meat.
Appearance and Characteristics
Turkens have a bare, turkey-like neck, which gives them their famous nickname. They come in different colors, and color can vary from bird to bird. This makes them a fun choice if you like a flock with variety.
The naked neck is not just for looks. The reduced feathering can help birds tolerate heat and makes processing easier if you raise chickens for meat. Even so, they still need normal chicken care: shade, clean water, dry housing, predator protection, and good feed.
When breeding Turkens, not every chick hatches with a naked neck. About 90% may show the bare-neck trait, while about 10% may hatch with feathered necks. For chick orders, only naked-neck chicks should ship to you, but if you breed them later, you may still see some feather-necked offspring.
Turken vs Turkey: Are They Related?
Despite the nickname, Turkens are not turkey hybrids. They are chickens.
The confusion makes sense because the bare neck gives them a turkey-like appearance. However, the trait comes from chicken genetics. If you want a bird that looks different but still behaves like a chicken, lays chicken eggs, and fits a normal chicken flock, this breed checks those boxes.
That unusual look is part of the charm. Some people need a minute to warm up to them, but many keepers end up loving Turkens for their hardiness, personality, and practical value.
Egg Production and Utility
Turkens are dual-purpose chickens. They lay brown eggs and also carry enough size for meat use. Their reduced feathering can make processing easier, which is one reason people historically valued the naked-neck trait.
They are also known for good laying ability, especially for a dual-purpose bird. Cackle lists Turkens as ornamental dual-purpose brown egg layers that are useful for meat. Actual egg production can vary with age, daylight, feed, weather, housing, and overall care.
If you enjoy hatching projects, Turken Naked Neck Fertile Hatching Eggs may be available at limited times of the year. Cackle notes that hatching eggs generally do not ship during the hottest part of summer because heat can raise the risk of poor hatchability.
Temperament and Suitability
Turkens are gentle, hardy, and easy to keep. They handle confinement well, which makes them useful for backyard coops and runs. They can also enjoy free range when you provide a safe area.
Their heat tolerance is one of their biggest strengths. If you live in a warmer climate, the reduced feathering can help them stay more comfortable than many heavily feathered breeds. Still, every flock needs shade and cool water in summer.
They can also adapt to many climates. The bare neck may look delicate, but these are tough chickens. In cold weather, give them a dry, draft-protected coop with good ventilation, just as you would for any other breed.
Is the Turken “Naked Neck” Chicken Right for Your Flock?
Choose Turkens if you want:
A unique chicken with a bare neck
A heat-tolerant backyard bird
A dual-purpose chicken for eggs and meat
A brown egg layer
A gentle bird that handles confinement well
A chicken that comes in mixed colors
A practical meat bird that is easier to pluck
A conversation starter for your flock
A fertile hatching egg option when available
Overall, this is a good choice if you want something different but still practical. Turkens may look odd at first, but they are useful, gentle, and well suited for many backyard flocks.
If you are still comparing breeds, the Chicken Breed Selector and Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart can help you sort birds by purpose, egg color, temperament, and flock needs.
Breed History and Preservation
Naked Neck chickens have a long history in Eastern Europe. Breeders valued the bare-neck trait because it reduced feathering, improved heat tolerance, and made the birds easier to process for meat.
The nickname “Turken” came from the mistaken belief that these birds were part turkey. In reality, they are chickens with a distinctive genetic trait. Over time, the unusual look became part of their appeal.
Several Naked Neck color varieties entered the American Standard of Perfection in 1965. Cackle does not offer a specific color variety; instead, you should expect color variety in the chicks and adult birds.
Recognition and Availability
A number of Naked Neck color varieties were admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1965. However, color availability can vary, and this offering does not focus on one specific color variety.
You can choose Turken Naked Neck chicks when they are in season. If you prefer hatching your own, Turken Naked Neck Fertile Hatching Eggs may be available seasonally. Before you plan your order, check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Related Breeds and Helpful Cackle Hatchery® Resources
If you like Turkens, you may also want to browse brown egg laying chickens, hot weather chickens, dual-purpose chickens, and baby chicks for sale.
For hatching projects, browse hatching eggs for sale. For general flock planning, use the Chicken Breed Selector or the Chicken Breeds List Comparison Chart.
FAQ: Turken “Naked Neck” Chicken
What is a Turken chicken?
A Turken, also called a Naked Neck chicken, is a chicken with a naturally bare neck. Despite the turkey-like look, it is not part turkey.
Are Turkens part turkey?
No. Turkens are chickens. The bare neck comes from a chicken trait, not a turkey cross.
Where did Naked Neck chickens originate?
Naked Neck chickens trace back to Eastern Europe, with many accounts pointing to Eastern Hungary and Transylvania. Older conservation sources document them as early as 1810.
Why do Turkens have naked necks?
The bare-neck trait reduces feathering. Historically, people valued that trait because it made the birds easier to pluck for meat and helped them tolerate heat better.
Are Turkens good egg layers?
Yes. Turkens are known for good laying ability, especially for a dual-purpose bird. Actual production can vary with age, daylight, feed, housing, weather, and care.
What color eggs do Turkens lay?
They lay brown eggs.
Are Turkens good for meat?
Yes. Turkens are dual-purpose chickens with good body size. Their reduced feathering can also make them easier to pluck when processing.
Are Turkens heat tolerant?
Yes. Heat tolerance is one of their strengths. Their reduced feathering helps them handle warm weather, though they still need shade, cool water, and good airflow.
Are Turkens cold hardy?
They can adapt to many climates. In winter, give them a dry, draft-protected coop with good ventilation.
Are Turkens friendly?
Yes. They are generally gentle and easy to handle. Many keepers find them calm and manageable in backyard flocks.
Do Turkens handle confinement well?
Yes. Turkens handle confinement well, making them useful for backyard coops and runs. They can also enjoy free range when you provide a safe area.
What colors do Turkens come in?
They come in different colors. This offering does not focus on one specific color variety, so adult plumage may vary.
Will all Turken chicks have naked necks?
Not always when you breed them at home. About 90% may hatch with naked necks, while about 10% may hatch with feathered necks. Chick orders should include naked-neck chicks, but future offspring may still include some feather-necked birds.
Are Turkens recognized by the APA?
Several Naked Neck color varieties were admitted to the American Standard of Perfection in 1965.
Can I order Turken Naked Neck hatching eggs?
Yes. Turken Naked Neck Fertile Hatching Eggs may be available at limited times of the year.
Where can I check chick availability?
Check the Availability Chart for current hatch and shipping options.
Katherine Williamson –
We ordered 5 sexed Turken chicks and all 5 arrived happy and healthy! They are a little sleepy from all the heat we’ve had, but I was amazed and thankful from the heat wave and being stuck at a sorting office all day yesterday that they were just fine out of the box and perked up immediately. The color variety is lovely. I can’t wait to see what they look like grown! 3 with chipmunk patterns of different strength (very light, medium, and very dark chipmunk) with varying yellow to buff bodies. One is black and one is a deep chocolate brown. Lovely!
Katherine Williamson –
We ordered 5 pullets and all 5 arrived happy and healthy! They are a little sleepy from all the heat we’ve had, but I was amazed and thankful from the heat wave and being stuck at a sorting office all day yesterday that they were just fine out of the box and perked up immediately. The color variety is lovely. I can’t wait to see what they look like grown! 3 with chipmunk patterns of different strength (very light, medium, and very dark chipmunk) with varying yellow to buff bodies. One is black and one is a deep chocolate brown. Lovely!
Kimberly Matheny –
I got my turkens in mid March. They sent one extra. I did have one get caught in the cardboard box flap and didn’t make it. But they rest have all thrived into big healthy birds. They are just starting to lay, light brown eggs. Very very friendly! They come running when I step outside. And will gather around when I sit down in a lawn chair. I had them eating out of my hand as chicks. I will continue to raise this breed.
Kay H –
Thanks
Last spring I bought 2 turken chicks. My regular hens didn’t like them. When they were old enough to be out of a coop I let them wander in the back yard which has no gate. They are so tame. They stay in the back yard or follow me into the garage if I have that door open they talk to me all the time and if I have been gone for a while and they see me they come running to me. They are such a pleasure and my grandchildren’s favorite. They actually sit on the kids laps. The eggs are great too. What a wonderful funny chicken to have as a backyard animal
Kito –
Thanks
So my wife bought us 5 Turken (Naked neck) girls. Cackle sent one more and the 6 arrived vivacious and in good health. The package they were in was the best I’ve ever seen with some kind of brick to keep the chicks warm and a few green cotton balls probably soaked with some water and what I suppose was electrolytes in liquid. The box seemed to be a nest and the chicks seem to have had a very comfortable trip. I am very impressed. Thank you for the excellent job and those beautiful little chickens.
Kat –
Super friendly chickens!
I love these birds. I got 16 of them and I absolutely am in love with them. I have a 2 year old daughter so likes to chase and grab them and they have not ever attacked her. They are very friendly and fun to watch. When they arrived they were all alive and healthy. The roosters sometimes go at it with one another but they don’t really attack each other they just raise their necks and flap their wings. Overall a very docile breed and highly recommended!
Kito –
Thanks
So my wife bought us 5 Turken (Naked neck) girls. Cackle sent one more and the 6 arrived vivacious and in good health. The package they were in was the best I’ve ever seen with some kind of brick to keep the chicks warm and a few green cotton balls probably soaked with some water and what I suppose was electrolytes in liquid. The box seemed to be a nest and the chicks seem to have had a very comfortable trip. I am very impressed. Thank you for the excellent job and those beautiful little chickens.
Shellie, Nebraska –
Love Cackle’s Turkens
Ordered some 3/11/19, and received Beautiful colors. Thank you Cackle :)!
Alopez –
Love these birds
Love these turkens, we Sadly lost our rooster aka mad max, but we will for sure get another one through crackle hatchery I am a current customer and will be for a long time thank you again, keep the great work. God. Bless
Muffman –
Turken Chicks
I ordered 26 Turken chicks. All arrived in good health and 2 months later all are still alive and growing off very well. Will order from Cackle Hatchery again. Thanks for the nice baby chicks.
taylor –
i think they’re CUTE!!!
once you get past the weird, they’re so ugly they’re actually cute! i personally think they’re attractive little things. sorta like cute little mini- vultures. it was such a joy to watch them grow up starting as happy & healthy bald-necked fuzz-balls and grow into both playful and sweet little yearlings. i dont think they’ve gotten any less cuter. but then again, being able to see a bird’s crop doesn’t really both me. they are really docile. they seem to get along with the rest of the flock, and come right up to me & say hello every now and then, and really do seem to enjoy their backyard free range fence! these guys never think up of an idea to escape, if anything it’s my leghorn that tries to find greater grasses. also, they are some of my faster chickens; they seem to have pretty quick reflexes for predators.
Order fulfilled –
Very satisfied
Very nice place to deal with and very honest would recommend this company to everyone and probably going to get more
gramma grace –
nice chickens
I did order my chicks as I said I would in a previous review. And was happy with them. Lost nary a one.
The roosters in this bunch were not a gang that attached all other roosters. I am keeping one and several hens. They are friendly birds. Almost to much sometimes. If you want pet hens these are great. But still they do not have the breast on them like the ones from in the 70s
softballgrammy –
Wonderful, sweet-natured, friendly bird
Such a sweet bird. I originally didn’t want to have one of these “ugly birds” when my co-worker ordered them for us. Now I think I will probably always have at least one of these in my flock. She has become my favorite. She always comes to me when I go outside and she is the first to follow me to the shed that is currently the chicken coop. I choose this one out of the ones we got because she looked like she had a bad eye liner job. We will always order our chicks from Cackle Hatchery.
jaw –
there cool
there cool
Julie, North Carolina –
Love my turkens!
I am very pleased with my chicks. When I placed my order, I was bummed out, but understanding that the next available order wasn’t until a month later. But to my surprise, within 2 hours of placing my order, a customer service rep called me and informed me that they had enough from a hatch on that day, to ship my order immediately if I wanted them to do so. Of course I said yes! I ordered 50, and only 50 were shipped. (No extras) All but one was very lively and ready to eat and drink. One was sluggish and died that day, and another died the next day. But 2 deaths out of 50 are still great odds considering the long mail trip to NC, and I will not complain. They are now 3 weeks old and growing fast. Still healthy and full of energy. I love this breed. They are very reliable egg layers and good for eating. I cant wait to see how many of my survivors are hens for eggs, and how many are roosters and will make it to the dumplin & stew pots.
Dfreeman –
Love turkens
2016 every chick accounted for live em thanks…. Btw my cats loved a few of them too ordering a few more soon… Maybe I’ll just stop in..
Brian –
I love my Turkens
I am very happy with my Turkens I received. Happy, healthy, various colors. They are some of friendliest chickens I own. I was concerned if I could get over their appearance.
But their personality more than makes up for their face only a mother could love. I am looking for a good dual purpose bird. If they are as good layers as advertised. I think I have a winner. For pluck ability if nothing else.
Glory –
wounderful chickens
Stepped out of my comfort zone last May and ordered 3 different breeds this being one,now that my hens are older and laying I wanted to write I was iffy about getting Turkens at first but so glad I did they are the most friendly and they lay beautiful eggs some lay a pretty pink to a ceramist white they are beautiful, the black ones remind me of a lady who have a fur coat on with a fancy feather hat on. They also have a nice weight to them also, not a disappointment at all.
gramma grace –
love these birds.
I first raised turkeys back in the 70s. Loved them. Nice large breasts and gentle chickens.
I once again was in a place I could have chickens in the 90s once again I was very happy with my birds. Life changes but 2 years ago I once again got turkens. Not happy with them. They are not the large breasted birds I had before and the roosters were vicious. I kept the hens but butchered the males. They did not attack people but a gang of five roosters would attack another rooster.
They sure tasted good.
But alas I want my turkens so going to try again from a different hatchery and hope they are more like my Turkens of old. Will be ordering from Cackle this time.
Sheryl Pennsylvania August 2009 –
Healthy Chicks Arrived
Just wanted to say “thanks” for sending such vigorous and healthy chicks. I’m a new customer to your hatchery and I’m very pleased. I will be ordering from you again!
Michael, Florida March 2012 –
Cackle Hatchery
I just wanted to let you know that the Turken Naked Necks chicks arrived standing and alive this morning. It seems as if the total trip for them was about 36 hours. None have died and they appear to be healthy. I will not hesitate to order from you again. Thanks again
Gloria, Massachusetts May 2015 –
Thank You!
I just wanted to say thank you, to whoever picked out my chicks did a fantastic job. Each Turken had different coloring and markings and all the others I received are beautiful colors too. They are so healthy looking too fluffy/chubby little chicks. This is my first time with these breeds look forward to watching them grow.