Biological purpose of comb/wattles?

[mikarod]

Rte.66_chicks :

When hens' combs go pale during a molt or non-laying period, is it a sign to the roos that they "have a headache"?

Yep...but the males usually don't listen. Same thing usually happens to a female that's gone broody. He won't understand it either...but he'll listen when she kicks his butt! lol​

 

[FLOWERPOT]

Quote:
This is so funny!!
I imagined a survey of all the chickens that walk by... Excuse me ma'am but could you tell me if you prefer.....

So what about the breeds that need to be Dubbed for show?
Does this affect their health?

 

[mcbrown7513]

If I understand, most hens prefer single combs. If so, is it humans that breed for other comb styles? Or do they occur as a recessive gene? Frankly, I prefer the single comb.

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

If I understand, most hens prefer single combs. If so, is it humans that breed for other comb styles? Or do they occur as a recessive gene? Frankly, I prefer the single comb.

I sincerely doubt that hens prefer single combs. When breeds and varieties are kept strictly segregated, they tend to prefer what they have always been around. When they are allowed to mix and mingle at least as chicks, and/or can see birds that look different (different breeds/body types/combs/etc.) then they are not that particular. In general, I would say from my observations, hens prefer males who find and call them to feed, warn them of predators and stand up for them, have good mating behavior (dance for them rather than rush and hop on top) and similar) Much of this is learned through experience, and young cockerels don't have that.

 

[mcbrown7513]

Seems logical. My Rhode Island Red too has demonstrated that he is learning to court the girls, rather than the pushy approach. My flock was either bought or given. My 2 roos were given, hens bought. So my roos are learning on their own.