Lucas Delgado
The red, dangling skin found underneath a chicken's chin is called a wattle. Chickens of different breeds have wattles of different shapes and sizes, with some being brown or blue. Like combs, wattles help chickens regulate their body temperature and indicate their health—colour changes, shrunken wattles, or changes in wattle appearance can signal health issues. Roosters use their wattles to attract potential mates, with hens commonly ignoring those with small wattles.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Wattle |
| Location | Under the beak, dangling from the chin |
| Appearance | Fleshy lobes of skin, usually red, but can also be brown or blue |
| Size | Varies depending on breed, larger in male chickens |
| Function | Regulates body temperature, aids in attracting mates |
| Health indicator | Colour changes, shrinkage, or changes in appearance may indicate health issues |
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What You'll Learn
The 'thing' is called a wattle
The thing underneath a chicken's chin is called a wattle. It is a fleshy caruncle that is usually found in pairs dangling from a chicken's chin. Wattles are commonly red, but they can also be brown or blue depending on the breed. They have the same function as combs—regulating a chicken's body temperature. When the weather is hot, blood flow increases to the comb and wattle, releasing heat. Roosters also use their wattles to attract mates. Hens tend to ignore roosters with small wattles as healthy roosters typically have large and bright wattles.
Chicken owners should pay attention to their birds' wattles as they can indicate health issues. A change in colour, size, or appearance could signal that something is wrong. For example, a shrunken wattle could indicate illness. Similarly, castrating a rooster will cause its wattle to stop growing.
The comb is the soft, tall, red area on top of a chicken's head. It gets its name from its resemblance to a comb. Combs come in various shapes and sizes, including strawberry, cushion, walnut, upright, double, and horn-shaped. Like wattles, they are commonly red, but they can also be maroon or dark maroon. Combs are larger in male chickens, and baby chicks hatch with tiny combs that get larger as they mature.
Chicken owners should also monitor the appearance of their birds' combs. Combs are prone to frostbite in cold weather, and large portions may turn black and fall off. Lathering petroleum jelly on the comb can help prevent frostbite in cooler climates.
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Wattles are usually red
The thing underneath a chicken's chin is called a wattle. Wattles are usually red, but they can also be brown or blue. They are the same colour as the comb on a chicken's head. Wattles are soft, dangling lobes of skin that aid in regulating a chicken's body temperature. They do this by increasing the flow of blood when chickens are too hot.
The comb and wattle serve the same purpose. Chickens do not have sweat glands, so they rely on the comb and wattles to cool themselves. Blood flows through the comb and wattles, which then circulates and returns to the interior parts of the body cooled. This is known as evaporative cooling. Roosters also use their wattles to attract potential mates. Hens tend to ignore roosters with small wattles, as healthy roosters have large and bright wattles.
The comb and wattles are important indicators of a chicken's health. Colour changes, shrunken wattles, or changes in the wattle's appearance can indicate health issues. Combs may also turn black and fall off due to frostbite in cold weather.
The shape and size of a chicken's wattle vary depending on the breed. A healthy wattle is soft, blemish-free, and deep red, indicating good blood flow. If a chicken is castrated, its wattle will stop growing.
Some chicken breeds with distinctively coloured combs include the following:
- Yokohamas and Malays have strawberry combs
- Chanteclers have cushion combs
- Leghorns, Rhode Island Reds, and Barnevelders are single-combed
- Silkies and Orloffs have walnut combs
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They help chickens regulate their body temperature
The loose, fleshy skin under a chicken's chin is called a wattle. Along with the comb, located on the top of a chicken's head, the wattle plays an important role in helping chickens regulate their body temperature. Chickens do not have sweat glands like humans do, so they rely on their wattles and combs to help cool them down when it is hot. The blood vessels in these fleshy areas are very close to the surface, which allows excess body heat to be released into the surrounding air. This process is similar to how humans cool down through perspiration.
When a chicken is feeling hot, the blood vessels in its wattle and comb fill with blood that has been warmed by the body. As the blood flows close to the surface, the heat is released, cooling the blood and, in turn, the chicken. This process is known as "gular fluttering," and you may notice a chicken's wattle and comb change color, appearing darker when this happens. The color change indicates that the blood vessels are dilated and close to the surface for heat dissipation.
In cold weather, the wattle serves a slightly different purpose. Chickens have the ability to adjust the blood flow to their wattles and combs, reducing it when the temperature drops. By doing so, they minimize heat loss and conserve body warmth. The wattle and comb may appear lighter in color and less plump during these times as the blood vessels constrict to preserve heat.
Healthy wattles and combs are important indicators of a chicken's overall health. They should be a consistent color, free of sores or lesions, and have good blood supply. Any changes in appearance or texture could indicate illness or nutritional deficiencies. For example, a pale wattle may suggest anemia, while a swollen or discolored wattle could be a sign of infection. Therefore, regular inspection of these areas can help identify potential health issues early on.
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Colour and size variations indicate health issues
The thing underneath a chicken's chin is called a wattle. Wattles are usually red, but they can also be brown or blue, depending on the breed. They are similar in appearance to combs but dangle from the chicken's chin. Wattles are usually found in pairs, but there are variations.
Wattles and combs are important indicators of a chicken's health. The colour and size of wattles can indicate whether a chicken is experiencing health issues. A healthy wattle is soft, blemish-free, and deep red, indicating good blood flow. Colour changes, shrunken wattles, or other variations in appearance can suggest underlying health problems. For example, a pale comb on a hen typically indicates that it is molting, while a bright red comb suggests that the hen is laying well. A droopy or off-colour comb may indicate illness or dehydration. In the case of roosters, the size and colour of their combs and wattles can attract hens to mate.
The wattle's colour and size can also indicate a chicken's level of sexual maturity and health. In roosters, pronounced wattles signal high testosterone and proper nutrition, making them attractive to hens. In hens, vibrant red wattles indicate good egg production. Changes in the appearance of wattles may indicate health issues that require attention.
Additionally, the wattle aids in regulating a chicken's body temperature. Like combs, wattles help cool the chicken by increasing blood flow when the chicken is too hot. This is essential as chickens do not sweat to cool themselves. In cold weather, however, combs are susceptible to frostbite and may need protection.
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Roosters use wattles to attract hens
The wattles are the fleshy red lobes of skin found underneath a chicken's beak. Some wattles are brown or blue, and they aid in regulating body temperature. Roosters have larger wattles than hens.
Roosters use their wattles to attract hens, or potential mates. The size of the wattle is related to testosterone levels, and the larger and brighter the wattle, the more attractive the rooster is to hens. This is because the size of the wattle indicates social status, with the biggest and brightest wattles belonging to the most dominant roosters.
Research has shown that hens are more attracted to roosters with larger, brighter combs and those that frequently perform the tidbitting behaviour. Tidbitting is a routine performed by roosters that consists of high-pitched, pulsating sounds combined with repeated rhythmic movements of the head and neck. During tidbitting, the rooster picks up and drops a piece of food without eating it. The rapid swinging of the wattle during tidbitting draws a hen's attention to the display by increasing the apparent size of the rooster's head.
The wattle also helps a hen quickly recognise that the rooster is offering food. The larger the wattle, the more conspicuous the male is when displaying with food. The swinging of the wattle also indicates the quality of the food being offered, with faster head and neck movements indicating a higher-quality food item.
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Frequently asked questions
The thing underneath a chicken's chin is called a wattle.
A wattle is a fleshy caruncle that is found dangling from a chicken's chin, usually in pairs. Wattles are commonly red, but can also be brown or blue depending on the breed.
Wattles help chickens regulate their body temperature. In hot weather, blood flows into the wattle to cool down. Wattles can also indicate a chicken's health—colour changes or shrunken wattles may signal health issues.
Yes, both male and female chickens have wattles, but they are larger in males.
