weird thought...what are wattles for?

[Ma]

As to the size of the Roos wattles being so much bigger......it must be because they need cooling off more!

 

[silkiechicken]

Hahaha, ok I wont take that further.

As far as single combs, never heard about the fertility thing. Interesting though since single comb birds are ones that carry both recessive genes for the single comb... wonder if fertility is part of the reason that so many of the production breeds are single combed!!! Like leghorns.

 

[Frozen Feathers]

So then would chickens living in the south tend to grow bigger combs and wattles compared to northern birds? Do you suppose they suffer from wattle envy??

 

[DuckLady]

I think the wattles are for rubbing. My roo loves to perch on me and let me rub his wattles His eyes close and he makes a growly noise.

Haha, "wattle envy!"

 

[Davaroo]

Allright then its sexual, then. The whole mating ritual thing - just mutated by centuries of breeding?

 

[silkiechicken]

That's what I'd be inclined to say. Selective breeding practices for different traits, exaggerated by humans and their desire to look at things.

 

[DuckLady]

Quote:
Not at all.
Speckle-Roo just loves his mama.

 

[marko15]

I don't know exactly what there for but I do know that they are a good indicator (when they become very red) that your pullets are getting ready to lay eggs!!

 

[barg]

Not having researched it, dark manes on a lion means that he is healthy; female lions prefer male lions with dark manes.

There are many animals that have cues to how healthy they are.
When picking a mate, animals tend to choose the healthiest, to ensure their offspring survive.
Since it's been said, many times on this board, that comb and wattle color are indicators of the chickens health, it would follow that they are used, at least in part, in the selection of a mate.

Elementary my dear Wattleson... Uh wattson