I believe they were deliberately bred like this so they could scavenge off the carcasses of animals, similar to Vultures, without their getting dirty necks. At least that is what I have read. Alternatively that could be piffle and it is just a genetic characteristic that has been encouraged to create this breed.
They are becoming more common here, but seem to be called just "Naked necks" here. Apparently they do much better in the heat of summer than other breeds.
Now and again, I get irritated by domestic species in zoos & on this site, usurping space that could be better used by wild animals. This gets worse late at night, or when the animal is unattractive. Both apply right now to this chicken.
Please excuse my intemperate rant.
Now and again, I get irritated by domestic species in zoos & on this site, usurping space that could be better used by wild animals. This gets worse late at night, or when the animal is unattractive. Both apply right now to this chicken.
Please excuse my intemperate rant.
conversely I think unusual domestic breeds are interesting and have a place in zoos and on Zoochat, such as this chicken and that weird woolly-coated pig from Hungary (I think?).
Less attractive & less interesting than a Red Junglefowl, better placed on a poultry forum.
Don't get me wrong, I like chickens, but it's a bit like the White Tiger thing. If one argues that White Tigers are a waste of space in zoos, then how much more are domestics? Interesting as the Hungarian Woolly Pig is, I would rather look at a Wild Boar.
I'm not entirely logical about this, as I am less irritated by exotic domestics like Alpacas -- BUT I would still rather look at a Vicuna.
Less attractive & less interesting than a Red Junglefowl, better placed on a poultry forum.
Don't get me wrong, I like chickens, but it's a bit like the White Tiger thing. If one argues that White Tigers are a waste of space in zoos, then how much more are domestics? Interesting as the Hungarian Woolly Pig is, I would rather look at a Wild Boar.
I'm not entirely logical about this, as I am less irritated by exotic domestics like Alpacas -- BUT I would still rather look at a Vicuna.
I think that well-presented domestic animal collections in zoos are important. In an increasingly urbanized world the main place that many people will see farm animals is likely to be in a zoo.
