Muffs and Tufts?
Muffs are very common; whereas, tufts are extremely rare. Muffs are fluffy, rounded masses of feathers found on the face underneath each eye. They are usually found in combination with beards on many breeds, such as Ameraucanas, Salmon Faverolles and Silkies. The beard is set between the two muffs and extends down the front of the throat. Tufting, on the other hand, is unique to the Araucana breed. Tufts are located behind the Araucana’s ear holes. They are composed of a fleshy knob called a peduncle from which grow large feathers. Even in pure-blooded Araucanas, good tufting is difficult to obtain. Often the tufts are asymmetrical or malformed. Moreover, tufting is lethal in chicks when the tufting genes are homozygous, or when the bird has two tufting genes.
