Naked Neck/Turken Thread

[Turk Raphael]

Yep that's chicken math. Goes on all the time here too.. even right now.

How about holding both roosters and culling after one has produced chicks? Something like breed the red first then cull him and see how his offspring turn out. Might even help improve the size on the whites.

I still get surprised at the idea of NN in cold winter areas. Doesn't seem possible but they really are all over, there even are local NN breeds in eastern European countries- Lublin naked neck in Poland for example. Amazing.

If NNs are going to die of cold, Dad would not have kept the large flocks as long as he did. He only sold them off due to pressure from brother Jason. I've been there when the temps were near 40* below 0, not including wind-chill and the NNs did fine. Dad lubed the cockerels' combs with that certain cream that I even use on my hands and face but as far as heat or lights of any kind for warmth, he believed in survival of the fittest and so do I. The NNs fared as well or better than the Australorps...FACT!!!


And here's another FACT, a bit of grist for the 'haters'. Dad also 'dubbed' the wattles of most of the cock birds, regardless of breed. That prevented frostbite without having to slather the cream on them. No problem, since they were NOT show birds. I got to the point where I actually liked the look and here's some ammo for my haters....I intend to perform a complete dub of ALL of the few birds that I still have with straight combs, including the NNs and the and including the wattles of the Dominiques that I keep.

Blasphemy??? I think not....just good husbandry so far as I'm concerned. It doesn't get quite so cold here as in West Virginia but we do have our times when the cold dips well below 0*F and the wind-chill can be severe.....plus...it's a very simple prophylaxis that is no more harmful than circumcision in male children....not really needed but it would sorely upset some cultures were it not performed!

 

[Kev]

That is so amazing, I love it! It's the Udder Cream, right?

I agree, dubbing could be looked at as an ethical thing to do in areas where frozen combs can be an issue.

 

[GabrielBane]

I know others have ethical issues with dubbing, but I think minor discomfort in the short-term vs. possible serious infections and discomfort in the long run is the no-brainer out of the two. Luckily, our Florida winters rarely dip below 50.

 

[Kev]

Yeah and can I move in with you if it doesn't go below 50 at night either?

Our nights do go in the 40-50's with cold spells dipping into the mid 30s with occasional frosty nights at 32ish.. TOO COLD

 

[Kassaundra]

Yeah and can I move in with you if it doesn't go below 50 at night either?

Our nights do go in the 40-50's with cold spells dipping into the mid 30s with occasional frosty nights at 32ish.. TOO COLD

I so agree Kev, I think anything below 50 F is to cold for human habitation. Sadly it gets well below that here every year and I am convinced at the beginning of Fall each year that cold and winter will kill me before the blessed relief of LATE spring makes it around again!

 

[Kassaundra]

Working on an idea for clothes for the nakeds. I think I can get usable tunic, pants, and sleeves from different parts of a sweat shirt. If it works it could work w/ a wool sweater also, but w/ a little more prep work b/c of unraveling. I know the tunic and pants work, I am now working on the sleeves.

 

[GabrielBane]

Woo! Just got confirmation from the breeder in Eustis that our NNs will be ready for pick-up in 22 days. SUPER pumped. I was reluctant about having chicks over winter, but I'm now confident our chicks can handle it since we've made some minor adjustments to the brooder plans, especially since they'll be indoors for most of it.

 

[Kev]

What are your average winter temps- days and nights?

I would say the average here is 50-60 days with nights mid 40s high 30s with hotter or colder spells being very normal. Always let them hatch year around they do well as long as they stay dry which goes for any chick really.

 

[Kev]

I so agree Kev, I think anything below 50 F is to cold for human habitation. Sadly it gets well below that here every year and I am convinced at the beginning of Fall each year that cold and winter will kill me before the blessed relief of LATE spring makes it around again!

I definitely feel for you and the nakeds in your winters! Saw pics of your winter ice.. BRRRRRR

 

[GabrielBane]

Where we'll be living it's between 50s-60s as highs and anywhere from 30s-50s for night time, or that's what it should be. Last year was very mild. This year it's predicted to be an actual winter for us. We're encouraging as much laying/hatching our girls will provide, so we're excited to have em.