Naked Neck Bantam

The Naked Neck Bantam is defined by its namesake feature: a neck entirely devoid of feathers. When viewed from the side, the neck should form a graceful, well-arched curve. The skin on the neck is naturally bare and should ideally be a vibrant, healthy red. While the neck is bare, a small tuft or 'tie' of feathers is often found at the base of the neck, just above the breast.

• Body Type: A powerful landfowl shape with a cylindrical, elongated body and a slightly sloping back.
• Comb: Both single and rose combs are recognized and permitted by standard.
• Face: Bright red wattles and earlobes with orange-red eyes.
• Legs: Clean and medium-long, leg color varies by plumage variety, ranging from lead-blue to pinkish-white.
• Plumage: The feathers are held tight to the body, making the bird appear very sleek.

For an ornamental breed, the Naked Neck Bantam is a reliable and respectable layer. On average, a healthy hen will produce approximately 120 eggs per year. The eggs are pure white and weigh roughly 1.1 oz (30g). While they are excellent for backyard production, they are not particularly known for being overly broody, though some individuals may occasionally show maternal instincts.

The rooster is larger and more imposing, weighing approximately 26-28 oz (750-800g). He possesses a broader tail with plentiful, well-developed sickles. His neck skin tends to be a deeper, more intense red than the hen's, especially during the breeding season.

The hen is smaller, weighing between 23-25 oz (650-700g). Her neck skin is often a slightly lighter shade of red. In show specimens, the hen's body is exceptionally wide in the rear, reflecting her capacity as a good layer. Both sexes share the same characteristic bare neck and alert, active temperament.

One of the biggest myths about the Naked Neck is that they are sensitive to cold due to their lack of neck feathers. In reality, they are extremely robust and winter-hardy. They possess fewer feathers overall (about half as many as a standard chicken), which actually helps them regulate their temperature more efficiently in both hot and cold climates. They are known to be very resistant to common poultry diseases and thrive even in rough weather conditions.

Standardized in several striking varieties, the most common are Black, White, and Cuckoo. The Silver Penciled (Zilverpel) variety has a very specific pattern: the rooster is silver-white with black drop-shaped lacing on the upper back and bands on the wings, while the hen displays sharp, black penciling over her entire body except for the head and breast. In the US and Netherlands, Blue and Partridge are also highly valued for exhibition.

The large-fowl version of the breed originated in Transylvania (modern-day Romania), but the bantam version was primarily developed in Germany during the late 19th century. Early specimens were first exhibited at the National Poultry Show in Frankfurt/Main by breeder K. Huth. Other German breeders like O. Marhold, R. Müller, and M. Drexler further refined the bantam type in the early 20th century by crossing the large birds with German Bantams to fix the size and vitality. Despite a temporary ban on the breed during certain periods of the mid-20th century in Germany, dedicated enthusiasts preserved the stock we see today.