Roosters without hackle feathers?
- Thread starter cheraboo
- Start date
- Jul 24, 2013
- 23,660
- 1,605
- 426
All chickens, male or female, have hackle feathers. Hackle is just another name for the neck feathers.
In most females, the ends of the feathers are rounded, and the feathers are relatively dull in color. In most males, the ends of the feathers are pointed, and the feathers are often shiny. However, there are some breeds of chicken, including the Sebright, and, to a lesser extent, the Campine, in which the male lacks the pointed feathers. That is, both male and female have rounded feathers, and their coloring is very similar.
In most females, the ends of the feathers are rounded, and the feathers are relatively dull in color. In most males, the ends of the feathers are pointed, and the feathers are often shiny. However, there are some breeds of chicken, including the Sebright, and, to a lesser extent, the Campine, in which the male lacks the pointed feathers. That is, both male and female have rounded feathers, and their coloring is very similar.
Last edited:
Genetics 101
As bantam lover21 said, there are certain rooster breeds that do not have male feathering/male hackle feathers. The males carry a dominant autosomal gene called henny feathering. This gene causes the testosterone (male hormone) in the skin to be changed to estridiol/estrogen which is a female hormone. This is why the male will have feathering and plumage color that is very much similar to the hen. The gene does not effect the other tissues in the male-the gene only causes expression in the skin.
Tim
Last edited:
- Aug 3, 2013
- 1,059
- 157
- 196
There are some breeds that don't have feathers on neck .. male and females. Some are called Turken and Transylvanian Chickens Have Naked Necks. Just type "naked neck chicken" and you will see their pictures. I raise Vietnam Ga Noi Don and lots of folks know them as naked neck but this is not quite true. They just have very few neck feathers as compared to other breeds, in most case the owner trim to expose the red strong neck to increase their beauty.
Similar threads
New posts New threads Active threads
-
Latest threads
-
Lead poisoning in hen
- Started by Brahmas in Blackburn
- Replies: 0
-
My Rooster's Legs Are Red (Non-Emergency)- Started by Elspeth Dinsmore
- Replies: 0
-
-
Anybody have any info on these breeds?- Started by Emmaloveschickens9156
- Replies: 4
-
-
-
Threads with more replies in the last 15 days
-
-
-
-
Please Help! Eggbound & Possible Prolapsed Vent
- Started by Elspeth Dinsmore
- Replies: 99
-
2 week old chick labored breathing, gasping, lethargy- Started by RandomAnarchy
- Replies: 89
-
