Pennsylvania!! Unite!!

[Plantnerd]

I have never bought from Murry McMurry, but my aunt, who has shown poultry for decades and is very serious about it, will only buy from them if she can't get a breed from a quality breeder. I'm sure she still has to cull some.
A more current example of helping Sand Hill - I obtained a line of Coturnix quail that lay bright blue eggs. I sent a batch of eggs to Glen and intend to send some half grown birds soon. Also, I just won an auction for Spitzhauben chicks from Greenfire Farms. They are different colors than what Sand Hill sells, but hopefully will have good type and be useful for an outcross to his line. First, I have to grow them out and see if I can produce chicks next spring. Then, I suspect @feliciadawn will want some of the first one I manage to hatch (assuming her little one really is a roo after all.). After that, I can send some chicks to Glen. Like me, he is fine with getting chicks a bit later in the year, spring is so busy with people wanting to buy chicks, that it helps to get most of my own breeders from the summer hatches.

Sand Hill doesn’t have Naked Necks so that is what I’d be ordering from McMurray if I don’t find another source. Do you think Sand Hill would have an interest in them if I could find good stock? I’d imagine they have their hands full and don’t know if they have room/time to take on another breed.

 

[Plantnerd]

Bedford here

Welcome from Chester County.

 

[dheltzel]

Naked Necks (aka Turkens) are not so much a breed as a genetic type, like frizzles. I don't think there is an SOP for them, but I'm not a show person and don't even own the SOP book. IDK if Sand Hill would be interested in them. They might not do well there, did you know that they only have half the number of feathers on the rest of their body as normal chickens? That makes them more of a challenge to overwinter where harsh conditions are the norm (like Iowa). That is an advantage in the south as they can generally take heat better.

 

[Plantnerd]

Naked Necks (aka Turkens) are not so much a breed as a genetic type, like frizzles. I don't think there is an SOP for them, but I'm not a show person and don't even own the SOP book. IDK if Sand Hill would be interested in them. They might not do well there, did you know that they only have half the number of feathers on the rest of their body as normal chickens? That makes them more of a challenge to overwinter where harsh conditions are the norm (like Iowa). That is an advantage in the south as they can generally take heat better.

Transylvania Naked Necks AKA Turkens are in fact a breed. They are recognized by the APA in Black, Buff, Red,and White and there is a SOP for them. They are extremely hardy birds and handle the heat and cold very well. I have a friend in Montana who keeps them and they lay consistently through the winter. They have on average 40%-60% less feathers than most chickens. This fact makes them excellent as far as feed conversion because they can put more protein towards muscle/meat rather than feather production. It’s also a bonus when processing. Part of the reason why it is hard to find good stock is because people like to make crosses with them. The Naked Neck is a dominant trait and a first generation cross will produce all Naked Neck (insert breed here).

 

[dheltzel]

Transylvania Naked Necks AKA Turkens are in fact a breed. They are recognized by the APA in Black, Buff, Red,and White and there is a SOP for them. They are extremely hardy birds and handle the heat and cold very well. I have a friend in Montana who keeps them and they lay consistently through the winter. They have on average 40%-60% less feathers than most chickens. This fact makes them excellent as far as feed conversion because they can put more protein towards muscle/meat rather than feather production. It’s also a bonus when processing. Part of the reason why it is hard to find good stock is because people like to make crosses with them. The Naked Neck is a dominant trait and a first generation cross will produce all Naked Neck (insert breed here).

I had no idea they were that entrenched in the hobby. I still think they look dreadful and will never own any. When I look at a bird and have to look again to see if it is sick or supposed to be that way, then it is not for me. I am particular about what my birds look like, no white chickens or ducks, not a fan of "red" either, unless it has a great pattern, like jubilee. Love an intensely black bird, with or without markings. Black Copper Marans hens are the prettiest hens, IMO, closely followed by the blue coppers. But all of them need plenty of feathers!

 

[Plantnerd]

I had no idea they were that entrenched in the hobby. I still think they look dreadful and will never own any. When I look at a bird and have to look again to see if it is sick or supposed to be that way, then it is not for me. I am particular about what my birds look like, no white chickens or ducks, not a fan of "red" either, unless it has a great pattern, like jubilee. Love an intensely black bird, with or without markings. Black Copper Marans hens are the prettiest hens, IMO, closely followed by the blue coppers. But all of them need plenty of feathers!

I’m kind of into the weirdness of them. They are exceptionally hardy and immune to many diseases. They are a true dual purpose breed. They are good layers, easier to process, relatively quick growers, and the meat is of great quality. There are a lot of people who think they are fugly and refuse to own them. What I don’t understand is why some of those same people can’t wait to get some NN Silkies. I agree with you about the rich black coloring. That makes for a gorgeous bird.

 

[VictoriaTemple]

Hmm…I wonder how Naked Necks would fare in my flock. I’m not overfond of their look, but I didn’t know they had strong immune systems. That and their heavy meaty frames might overcome the weird factor, IF I can find good ones. Praying now…

 

[troyer]

Yes she is. That's why I'm assuming The dad probably has to be the splash, silkie x ameraucana boy since some babies look ameraucana with clean legs and others look crossed. He's also can carry the lavender gene. BUT some babies are lavender and have 5 toes...that boy does not have the extra toes. Is it possible for him to carry the gene for extra toes without expressing it?

Yes. It is possible to carry the five-toed gene and not express it, but then produce it in their offspring.

 

[Plantnerd]

Hmm…I wonder how Naked Necks would fare in my flock. I’m not overfond of their look, but I didn’t know they had strong immune systems. That and their heavy meaty frames might overcome the weird factor, IF I can find good ones. Praying now…

I’ll let you know if I find some good quality birds. They are definitely worth a try. Worst case if you don’t like looking at them you’ll still end up with a chicken dinner.

 

[dheltzel]

This is a prime time to supplement your birds diet with weeds:
amaranth (pigweed) - trendy "superfood"
quinoa (lambsquarter) - even more trendy "superfood"
burdock
oxalis (sour weed)
chickweed - really starting to grow now that it is cooler
dandelion - brought from Europe because it is so healthy
plantain - also brought from Europe as an herbal plant
most others also are appreciated. The only thing I avoid are pokeweed and tough grasses, neither of which are eaten.

They eat it all. Even little ones attack greens when I give them some. Seed heads are also good for them, they will strip off the high value grain seeds.