Are these ear tufts?

[Naliez]

This is my favorite 7 week old EE pullet, Hootie. Does she have ear tufts, and if so, is it the same "fatal gene" that would make it difficult to hatch most her offspring, or does that only apply to the pure breeds? TIA!

 

[LeiaLayers5]

Just looks bearded to me but I am no expert sorry.

 

[proud-armywife]

I have no idea... But that chicken is absolutely adorable!!!

 

[Naliez]

I have no idea... But that chicken is absolutely adorable!!!

Fellow Army wife here as well! Thank you! She is so stinking cute, I just love her! Absolute sweetheart too.

 

[LeiaLayers5]

I have no idea... But that chicken is absolutely adorable!!!

x2

 

[Naliez]

See how she has the two little feathers sticking out on their own on top of her head? What are those?

 

[junebuggena]

I think those are muffs. They are dominant, but not fatal.

 

[Kev]

No tuft in this cutie.

The feathers you pointed out sometimes happen in association with beards. I've had some EE with the feather "swooping" on the sides of neck behind the beard part. A few had it extend all the way around the neck. I don't know how to best describe how it looks but it is not the usual smooth neck growth pattern.. the feathers seem curlier, longer...

From memory, the birds that show it also had really big and very full beards. I've thought it was an extension/side effect of beard.....

I seem to remember some examples in pictures of other breeds too, maybe Orloffs..?


Tufts are pretty much always right by the ear holes. It's too high up on this one. I've seen pictures of both tufted and bearded birds and the tuft still was by the ear hole location.

 

[Kev]

Couldn't find exactly the same pattern as yours and the variations I'd seen but here's one that is generally close to yours:

http://www.practicalpoultry.co.uk/yabbfiles/avatars/UserAvatars/Mr_Orloff.jpg

Not the same, but another feather pattern I see on some beards:

http://s230.photobucket.com/user/Hcammack2/media/DSCF1586.jpg.html

http://kenspoultry.com/wp-content/gallery/salmon-faverolle/salmon-faverolle-1.jpg

One other common thing I forgot to mention that associates with beards on some birds is a big puffy lump behind the head. Many Orloffs really show that big time but it does show up in EE, ameraucanas etc.

 

[Bo Garrett]

Beard with muffs, this is standard issue in Easter eggers and Ameraucanas.