Pros: Great layers, very friendly and resistant to most diseases.
Cons: While they go broody often, they are not good brooders due to lack of feathers.
I love my naked necks, they are a unique breed and while some say they look ugly I think that they are gorgeous unique chickens! I can hug my rooster and he's very smart and friendly, and the roosters aren't aggressive towards you. they are very resistant to most diseases. They are happy to free range or be confined in runs and are not known as being particularly good fliers, making them great for backyard chickens. They are easy to tame and are very placid, calm birds. they can weather tough Australian summers and freezing European winters.
Recommended birds for Australian climates
Pros: Naturally disease resistant, feed to egg ratio is the best by far.
Cons: None
I have raised this breed for 14 years, They are the best dual purpose bird in my opinion hands down. And I have tried many breeds.
They free range, withstand confinement without a problem, lay 300+ very large eggs per year, 50% of the feathers means they eat less and more goes to their egg production. They are the only known chicken to be naturally resistant to most diseases, so much so that in other Countries around the world Naked Neck's are introduced into the flocks to make them stronger. (think about that the next time you buy some imports
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I live in Texas and they withstand our 115 degree days, and survive when Mother Nature pulls a fast one on us and it is below freezing. Usually in the same week.
Thanks for the information .We have 2 My grandson has named them Peppermint and Candy Cane./he is 8 and a Wrestler for his school and He says they are Cool like Him. By the way I love reading Your Posts.
If these birds are properly housed without having wet bedding and have sufficient ventilation, they are no more prone to frostbite than any other breed. The temps. were more severe last year than I can remember in a very long time, down to negative 40*F and none of my birds suffered from frostbite.
My buildings are old re-purposed milking parlors with good ventilation and no heat source. If birds of any breed suffers frostbite, it's because of human failure to provide adequate housing.
I very much doubt that your Naked Necks could lay more than 300 eggs a year. Maybe they are crossed with Leghorn or some other excellent layer breed.
As for disease resistance, the Fayoumi is noted for a natural resustance to some diseases, but I have never seen the TNN mentioned as being naurally resistant to disease. I have kept quite afew Naked Necks and they are just regular chickens with naked necks. Hatchability in Naked Necks is lower than for regular breeds. Some years ago they developed naked neck commercial layers for use in the tropics. Not sure how it worked out.
I have never experienced frost bite or any cold intolerance. These are wonderful birds that are all around very durable as well as loving! Proof? They were created in Germany/Transylvania, where they have very cold winters. I highly doubt that they would have been popular or even created here, had they not been cold worthy.
I hope people stop and think about when and where they were created before deciding against this breed based on the original posters view. (just my 2 cents.)
I have only raised chickens for 4 years, but these are, without a doubt, my favorites. Everything hellbender said is true and I might add that hey are also disease resistant. I have never had a sick naked neck. If I had to choose just one breed, this would be it.