Unfeathered friends

NOT THE PRETTIEST CHOOK IN THE FLOCK, BUT THE NAKED NECK MAY ADAPT BEST TO HOTTER TEMPERATURES

Megg Miller

You’re sure to be taken aback by the appearance of a Naked Neck chicken and not question the fact this breed has been known by names like Rubber Necks, Turkens and even Churkeys. Rest assured, it’s a dinky-di chook — no foul play has taken place with turkeys. It seems a random gene mutation centuries ago has resulted in birds with reduced feathering. This scientific explanation puts a damper on the normal reaction, “Is it a victim of dog attack?” “Has the bird got a disease?” Along with the featherless areas on neck and breast, the skin turns a deep shade of red, and so the casual observer can be forgiven for wondering if something horrible has caused the unusual appearance. GENE ACTION The genes responsible for the different characteristics in poultry occur…

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Good Organic Gardening (Digital) - 1 Issue, Issue#9.5 - 2018

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