Mia Patel
Chickens have a variety of distinctive features, from their beaks to their combs. But what about the flappy things on their necks? These are called wattles and they hang down on either side of a chicken's throat. They are similar in appearance to combs, but they serve an important function: helping chickens regulate their body temperature.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Wattles |
| Location | Under the beak, on either side of the throat |
| Appearance | Fleshy lobes of skin, usually red, but can also be brown, blue, maroon, black, or other colours |
| Size | Vary in size, from almost non-existent to large and flappy |
| Function | Help regulate the chicken's body temperature, indicate health and sexual maturity |
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What You'll Learn
The 'flappy things' are called wattles
The flappy things on a chicken are called wattles. They are the fleshy red lobes of skin found under the beak. Wattles are usually red, but in some breeds, they can be brown, blue, maroon, black, or other colours. They come in a range of sizes, from almost non-existent to huge.
Like combs, wattles serve important functions that are integral to the health and survival of chickens. They help regulate the chicken's body temperature, as blood flows from the comb to the wattle to keep the chicken cool in hot weather. Wattles also communicate the point of sexual maturity, indicating high testosterone and good egg production, which attracts mates.
Young roosters have pronounced wattles, which signal the rooster's health and demonstrate high testosterone and proper nutrition, making the cockerel an attractive mate. Wattles can also indicate the chicken's current state of health, with colour changes, shrunken wattles, or changes in wattle appearance potentially signalling issues such as dehydration.
In addition to their functional purposes, wattles also have decorative value. Their size and shape differ according to breed and sex, with males typically having larger wattles.
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Wattles help chickens regulate their body temperature
Chickens have a naturally warm body temperature of about 105°F. Unlike humans, they do not have sweat glands, so they rely on other methods to regulate their body temperature. In cold weather, chickens fluff up their feathers to trap warm air against their bodies. In hot weather, they do the opposite, keeping their feathers sleek against their bodies to catch any breeze that might provide relief from the heat.
Chickens also use their breath to regulate their body temperature. They inhale cooler external air, which helps dissipate heat from their abdominal cavity. This process is called gular flutter.
Another way chickens keep cool is by using their blood. The combs and wattles on a chicken are usually bright red in the summer because warm blood is diverted to these highly vascularized areas. When a breeze or a cool mist runs over the engorged blood vessels, heat is pulled away from the chicken's body. This process is called evaporative cooling.
The flappy things on a chicken are called wattles. They hang on either side of a chicken's throat behind the beak. Wattles are similar in appearance to combs but are larger and flap down. They signal a rooster's health, indicating high testosterone and proper nutrition, which makes the cockerel an attractive mate. They also help with thermoregulation.
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They also indicate a chicken's health and sexual maturity
The "flappy things" on a chicken are called wattles. They are the fleshy red lobes of skin found under the beak, one on each side. Wattles are similar in appearance to combs—the soft, tall red points on top of a chicken's head—but they hang down on either side of a chicken's throat. Wattles are larger in males, and their size and shape vary by breed. They are usually red, but can also be blue, maroon, black, or other colours.
Both combs and wattles are integral to the health and survival of chickens. They help regulate the chicken's body temperature, as blood flows into them and cools. When the weather gets toasty, blood circulates from the comb to the wattle, where it is cooled, keeping chickens comfortable.
The colour and appearance of wattles can indicate a chicken's health. Colour changes, shrunken wattles, or other changes in the wattle's appearance can signal issues such as dehydration or illness. For example, a pale comb may indicate that something is wrong with the chicken, especially if it is not moulting and losing feathers.
In addition to their role in thermoregulation and health indication, combs and wattles also communicate sexual maturity. Once hormones start circulating in a chicken's body, the comb starts shifting, growing, and becoming more vibrant. A good comb demonstrates strength and vitality, making both hens and roosters more attracted to one another. Wattles, on the other hand, signal high testosterone and proper nutrition, making a cockerel an attractive mate. They also indicate good egg production.
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Combs and wattles are similar but serve different purposes
The "flappy things" on a chicken are called combs and wattles. They are similar in appearance and serve some similar purposes, but they also have distinct functions. Combs are the red, fleshy growths that sit on top of a chicken's head, resembling a mohawk hairstyle. Wattles, on the other hand, are the red, fleshy parts that hang down on either side of a chicken's throat, behind the beak.
Both combs and wattles play a crucial role in regulating a chicken's body temperature. Chickens do not sweat like humans do, so these fleshy parts prevent them from overheating. The combs and wattles are packed with blood vessels, allowing for rapid heat exchange. Blood flows into the comb and then down to the wattles, where it is cooled, keeping chickens comfortable in hot weather.
Combs and wattles also serve as indicators of a chicken's health and reproductive status. The size, colour, and texture of these features can provide information about a chicken's overall health, hormone levels, and egg production. For example, healthy wattles should be smooth, while shrivelled or dry wattles can indicate dehydration or poor health. Similarly, the colour of a chicken's comb can indicate a fever or other health issues. In addition, the development of combs and wattles can signal sexual maturity and attractiveness to potential mates. As chickens mature, their reproductive hormones increase, causing the comb to grow larger and fuller. Roosters with larger combs and wattles are often seen as more attractive to hens.
While combs and wattles share some similarities, they also have distinct purposes. Combs, being located at the top of the head, are more prominent and act as a visual indicator of health and vitality. They can also communicate sexual attraction, with larger and brighter combs being more attractive to potential mates. Wattles, on the other hand, have a more subtle role in thermoregulation and health indication. The swaying of a rooster's wattles during certain behaviours, such as "tidbitting", can also attract the attention of hens.
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Wattles come in a variety of sizes and colours
The flappy things on a chicken are called wattles. Wattles are the fleshy skin that hangs below a chicken's beak. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colours, depending on the breed and sex of the chicken. Wattles can be long and oblong-shaped or short and rounded. Rooster wattles are generally larger and more noticeable than hen wattles, and some breeds, like the Speckled Ranger, have smaller wattles, while others, like the Gallina di Saluzzo, have larger ones. Wattles can also vary in colour, from bright red to black.
While wattles do not come in as much variety as chicken combs, they can still differ significantly between breeds. For example, Polish and Silkie chickens have small wattles that are often hidden by their feathers, while White Leghorns and Rhode Island Reds have large, dangly, bright red wattles. Wattles are not just for decoration; they serve several essential functions for both the chickens and their handlers.
One of the main functions of wattles is to help chickens regulate their body temperature. Chickens do not sweat, so they rely on their wattles and combs to cool down. The wattles and combs are rich in blood vessels, allowing overheated blood to circulate and cool down before returning to the rest of the body. This cooling function is especially crucial for heat-tolerant breeds like Rhode Island Reds, White Leghorns, and Minorcas.
The appearance of a chicken's wattle can also indicate its overall health. A healthy wattle should be bright red, plump, and free of discolouration or blemishes. If a chicken is sick, its wattles may become pale, shrunken, or discoloured. Wattles can also provide information about the egg-laying capabilities of hens. Hens with bright, healthy wattles are often good egg layers, while those with pale wattles may not lay as many eggs.
In addition to their functional roles, wattles also play a part in sexual attraction. Roosters with larger, healthier wattles are often more attractive to hens, leading to successful mating. Roosters may use a behaviour called "tidbitting" to show off their wattles when they find food, attracting hens to them.
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Frequently asked questions
The flappy things on a chicken are called wattles. They are the fleshy red lobes of skin found under the beak.
Wattles help chickens regulate their body temperature. They also indicate the chicken's health and sexual maturity.
Wattles come in a range of sizes and colours. While they are usually red, they can also be brown, blue, maroon, black, or other colours.
