In chickens, both their wattles and comb are a means to control their body temperature. The comb is made up of bundles of collagen fibers in the form of protein bundles, similar to a bungee cord, helping to give the comb its elasticity.
Another popular inquiry is “What does it mean when a chicken has damaged Wattles?”.
Off-color or damaged wattles are often one of the first signs that a chicken has some kind of health issue. There may be something directly affecting the wattle, like frostbite or a pecking injury. Or, it can indicate that there is an underlying health issue. Healthy chickens have bright red wattles and combs .
Do chickens have wattles?
Chickens do have wattles, yes. Both hens (females) and roosters (males) have wattles. They will vary in size depending on the breed, but all chickens have them as they serve some important purposes as I’ll explain.
Not least because when chickens start to develop combs and wattles you start to get a good idea of whether or not your chicks are males or females. Roosters almost always develop wattles sooner, they’ll be bigger, and usually redder. The problem is, it’s very breed-specific. Some breeds will start to develop wattles at just a few weeks old.
But like a lot of things in nature, combs and wattles are multifunctional, especially in the case of a hen. Apparently, from the rooster’s perspective, bigger is better. And a group of scientists in Sweden think they have discovered why. They believe that the larger more colorful appendages indicate a strong healthier mate.
Roosters use their comb and wattles for cooling their blood, which directly help them to keep their body temperatures down during hot weather especially in summer season. Good shaped, colored, bright and shiny wattles indicate good health of your roosters.
What does it mean when a chicken has red wattles?
Or, it can indicate that there is an underlying health issue. Healthy chickens have bright red wattles and combs. If you’ve noticed any of your hens have pale, flopped over, or disfigured wattles, you should seek the advice of an avian vet. One of the key functions of wattles is to help chickens regulate their body temperature.
You should be thinking “What does a healthy chicken look like with red wattles?”
Healthy chickens have bright red wattles and combs. If you’ve noticed any of your hens have pale, flopped over, or disfigured wattles, you should seek the advice of an avian vet.