Mia Patel
The thing that hangs from a chicken's neck is called a wattle. It is a fleshy caruncle that hangs from the neck or head in several groups of birds and mammals. Wattles are generally paired structures, but they can also occur as a single structure, in which case they are sometimes called a dewlap. The colour of a wattle can vary, with red, blue, maroon, black, and yellow being some of the colours observed. The shape and size of a wattle vary by breed and sex, with males typically having larger wattles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Wattle |
| Description | Fleshy caruncle hanging from the neck or head in several groups of birds and mammals |
| Location on Chicken | Under the beak |
| Appearance | Usually red, but can also be brown, blue, maroon, black or other colours |
| Size | Larger in males; size and shape differ according to breed |
| Purpose | Attract potential mates, thermoregulation, indicate health |
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What You'll Learn
The 'wattle' is the name for the thing that hangs from a chicken's neck
The thing that hangs from a chicken's neck is called a wattle. It is a fleshy caruncle that hangs from the head or neck of several groups of birds and some mammals. Wattles are generally paired structures, but they can also occur as a single structure, in which case they are sometimes called a dewlap. The caruncle may be covered in feathers or not, depending on the species.
In chickens, the wattle is found under the beak, and it is a fleshy red lobe of skin. In some breeds, wattles can also be brown, blue, maroon, or black. The wattle is larger in male chickens, and its size and shape differ according to breed. A healthy wattle is soft, blemish-free, and deep red, indicating good blood flow. If a rooster is castrated, its wattle will stop growing.
The wattle serves several important functions for chickens. Firstly, it helps with thermoregulation, cooling the chicken down in hot weather. Blood flows into the wattle, where it is cooled, preventing the chicken from overheating. Secondly, the wattle indicates the chicken's health and sexual maturity. Large wattles signal high testosterone levels, good nutrition, and the ability to evade predators, making the chicken an attractive potential mate.
In addition to their practical purposes, wattles also play a role in attracting mates. Roosters use their wattles to attract potential partners, and hens tend to ignore roosters with small wattles. The wattle is similar in appearance to the comb, another fleshy structure on a chicken's head, but the comb is more mohawk-like and does not hang down like the wattle.
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Wattles are a type of 'caruncle'
The thing that hangs from a chicken's neck is called a wattle. Wattles are a type of caruncle, which are defined as small, fleshy growths that are a normal part of an animal's anatomy. Caruncles are often brightly coloured and can be found on the head, neck, throat, cheeks, or around the eyes of some birds.
In chickens, wattles are the fleshy bits that hang on either side of the throat or neck. They are similar in appearance to combs, which are the mohawk-like red things on a chicken's head. Wattles and combs serve important functions that are integral to the health and survival of chickens. They provide cooling by regulating the chicken's body temperature, as chickens do not sweat like humans do.
Wattles and combs also communicate the point of sexual maturity, indicating high testosterone levels and good egg production, which attracts mates. In addition, they signal the chicken's current state of health, with bright red and large wattles and combs indicating vitality and strength. Roosters with large and bright wattles are more attractive to hens, while hens with these features are more attractive to roosters.
Wattles are frequently organs of sexual dimorphism, meaning they often look different between males and females of the same species. In some birds, caruncles are erectile tissue that can become engorged with blood and enlarge during courtship. The colour and size of caruncles can indicate the level of testosterone, nutrition, and ability to evade predators, all of which are factors in determining a potential mate.
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Wattles are usually red
The thing that hangs from a chicken's neck is called a wattle. Wattles are two thin, fleshy growths that hang below a chicken's beak on either side of its throat. They are similar in appearance to combs—the mohawk-like growths on top of a chicken's head—but they hang down.
The comb and wattles also indicate a chicken's sexual maturity and health. Roosters with large wattles have high testosterone levels and good nutrition, making them attractive to hens. The size of a rooster's comb and wattles can change throughout its life, becoming smaller when testosterone levels are low during the summer or when daylight hours drop in the winter.
In addition to indicating health and sexual maturity, wattles help regulate a chicken's body temperature. Blood circulates from the comb to the wattles, where it is cooled, helping to lower the chicken's temperature in hot weather.
Wattles also play a role in courtship behaviour. Roosters with larger wattles are more appealing to hens, and the rapid swinging of wattles during tidbitting—a routine where the rooster makes high-pitched sounds and rhythmic head and neck movements—draws the attention of hens.
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Wattles are larger in male chickens
The thing that hangs from a chicken's neck is called a wattle. Both male and female chickens have wattles, which are two oblong fleshy appendages that hang below their chins, starting just behind the beak. Wattles are similar in appearance to combs, which are also fleshy and red but sit at the top of a chicken's head.
Hens also have wattles, but theirs are smaller. In laying hens, healthy wattles should be large, glossy, soft, and waxy. The colour and size of a hen's wattle can indicate whether or not it is laying eggs. When the wattle is bright red and large, the hen is actively laying eggs. If the wattle is pinkish and small, the hen is not laying.
The primary function of wattles is display, but they also help chickens regulate their body temperature by keeping them cool. Blood circulates from the comb to the wattles, where it is cooled by the air before travelling through the bird's body. This is why combs are prone to frostbite in cold weather, as they have a larger surface area.
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Wattles indicate health and sexual maturity
The thing that hangs from a chicken's neck is called a wattle. Wattles are thin, fleshy growths that hang below a chicken's beak on either side of its throat. They are similar in appearance to combs—the mohawk-like growths on the top of a chicken's head—but differ in shape and location.
In addition to indicating health, wattles play a role in sexual attraction and mating. Roosters use their wattles to attract potential mates, as hens tend to favour roosters with large, bright wattles. Young roosters with pronounced wattles signal high testosterone and proper nutrition, making them attractive to hens.
The appearance of wattles can vary depending on the breed and gender of the chicken. Wattles are generally larger in male chickens (roosters) than in female chickens (hens). However, in some bearded chicken breeds, hens may have little to no wattles. Additionally, castrated roosters' wattles cease to grow.
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Frequently asked questions
The hanging skin under a chicken's neck is called a wattle.
The wattle is a fleshy caruncle that hangs from either side of a chicken's throat or neck. The size and shape of the wattle vary by breed and sex, with males having larger wattles. Wattles are usually red but can also be blue, maroon, black, or other colours.
Wattles have multiple purposes. They help with thermoregulation, preventing chickens from overheating. They also indicate a chicken's health and sexual maturity, with larger and brighter wattles signalling health and vitality, making the chicken more attractive to potential mates.
No, wattles are found in several other bird species, such as the king vulture, cassowary, and common pheasant. They are also found in some mammals, including domestic goats and pigs.
