Are Naked Neck Chickens more likely to get ‘pecked’ on?

[CaramelKittey]

Good morning fellow chicken people! Recently, I have been looking into purchasing some naked neck chickens, and I am hoping to make my new coop as accommodating as possible to these hilarious chickens however, I have a few concerns. Since they lack neck feathers, will they be cold where I live. I live in NJ and we have gotten temperatures as low as 9 before(although that is really rare) and I’m just wondering how to keep them warm. And, more annoying questions, do they get sunburnt in the summer? And finally, will they get picked on by my other birds. I’ve noticed chickens are more inclined to peck red things, and their necks are red. Should I be concerned with this, or will it be fine?
Thanks in advance!

 

[Chicken Heel]

My current flock has three Turken hens and they don't seem to mind the cold winter weather at all. They do get sunburned but I have seen no evidence of increased pecking from their flock mates with one caveat; one of them molted later than the other flock mates last fall and when her new feathers started coming in, the other hens pecked her to she was basically naked all over. This happened one day while I was at work. I then isolated her and she quickly got feathered out again. As a precaution and considering pecking order disruption, I have kept her away from her original flock but do currently have her with a couple of Golden Comet hens that I took in last spring.

 

[tuesdaylove]

I'm not sure how they do in the cold. I currently have my first Turken ever, a pullet, and I've had her for a few months. She's always in a covered run, so no sunburn. The others have pecked at her neck a few times but I see no injuries. The rooster grabs the feathers on the back of her head when he mounts her.

 

[Chicken Heel]

I think Turkens were originally developed in Hungary so they shouldn't mind the cold. My three hens have done fine through two winters now.

 

[CaramelKittey]

@Chicken Heel and @tuesdaylove thanks for all your help! Since they can get sunburnt, should I use a salve on their necks in the summer to prevent sunburn? I have some homemade natural udder balm I use on my goats.
Thanks again!

 

[Chicken Heel]

I have never used any salve on my sunburned Turkens but would think a natural balm or Aloe would be fine.

 

[CaramelKittey]

I have never used any salve on my sunburned Turkens but would think a natural balm or Aloe would be fine.

Thank you! Sounds good to me then. Can’t wait to get some of those stupi- ..interesting looking chickens. My sister REALLY wanted these for her birthday so I appreciate the help. Now I’ll have to find a good place to buy them...any recommendations?

 

[Chicken Heel]

Thank you! Sounds good to me then. Can’t wait to get some of those stupi- ..interesting looking chickens. My sister REALLY wanted these for her birthday so I appreciate the help. Now I’ll have to find a good place to buy them...any recommendations?

My three 2.5 years old red Turken hens came from Cackle Hatchery. And I now have a 7.5 weeks old black Turken pullet that I got from a local TSC (Hoover's). It and the other five chicks that I got along with it are doing better than any chicks I have ever had at this stage. They include a Black Giant (cockerel), Golden Polish (cockerel), Red Pyle OEG Bantam cockerel (already crowing), and two Calico Princess pullets - thinking they are actually Easter Egger and Red Ranger.