These usable poultry byproducts show that chickens are worth more than eggs and meat.

BY JACEY DEAN

Rooster feathers can be a marketable commodity with proper care and cleaning.

BRIAN NOLASCO/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Have you been raising fowl for a few years already? Perhaps you’re comfortable with harvesting meat and eggs, but now wonder: What else can I do? This article explores some extra products that can be gained from raising poultry.

HACKLE FEATHERS

Watching the flashy plumage of a rooster’s saddle shine in the sunlight, it’s no wonder someone once decided there had to be a use for those feathers. Rooster saddle feathers, called hackles, are utilized for tying customized fishing lures by a few dedicated anglers.

I am not one such dedicated angler, so I visited a local fly-fishing shop to learn more. Matt Paulson, owner of The Superior Fly Angler in Superior, Wisconsin, and employee Aaron Nelson took time to discuss the craft of fly-tying with me.

Paulson says that hackles aren’t quite as big of a deal as they were at, say, the turn of the millennium. Since he opened the business in 1997, he’s seen hackle shelf space decrease while other options for tyers have garnered steam. Among the hackle options available, the dun and grizzly color patterns are likely the most commonly used. Various poultry species were represented on the wall at the shop, from peacocks to partridges.

Many feathers retained their natural authentic coloring, while some were dyed bright hues.

Aaron Nelson (right) ties a fishing fly.

JACEY DEAN

Hens (far right) are known for providing nutrition from their eggs, but they can also provide other usable products.

EMILY NESTLERODE/SHUTTERSTOCK.COM

Rooster hackles come in what are called capes, feathers still attached to the original skin. (Capes start at the beak/comb and end at the mid-back.) Hackle providers evaluate the capes for quality, which are frequently being prenumbered to coordinate with the correct size hook(s) an angler might desire to match.