Rooster feather question...

[Bocktobery 10]

Hi,

I hope this is the correct forum to ask this question in, but I was wondering, what are those two long rooster tail feathers called and what are they for? My roosters had them when they were young but they don't have them now. I just can't seem to find any information about them. Does anyone know and like to share? Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

They are called sickle feathers and they are for ornamentation - to get the hens to think that he is attractive.

 

[Bocktobery 10]

LOL on the

Is it ok that my roos don't have them anymore? Are they a one time deal? Or maybe my ladies just weren't impressed enough with them? *chuckles*

 

[Den in Penn]

No health issues if they don't have them. Could they have been picked off by the unimpressed hens? More likely they are molting. My rooster is molting and at the moment has only one sickle jutting out, at least he did going to roost to night. They'll grow back.