Flytyer317
The physical characteristics of "hen hackle" vary quite a bit. Some hen neck hackle makes more than passable dry fly material. Here's an example of a dry fly tied with Whiting hen neck hackle from their Hebert/Miner line: [url=http://www.danica.com/flytier/swilliams/tups_indispensible.htm:081b0]http://www.danica.com/flytier/swilliams/tups_indispensible.htm[/url:081b0]

I also use hen saddle hackle for some wet flies, and have found that some products are better than others. Here's an example of a Yorkshire spider tied with hen saddle hackle from (again) Whiting's Hebert/Miner line: [url=http://www.danica.com/flytier/swilliams/dun_yellow_softhackle.htm:081b0]http://www.danica.com/flytier/swilliams/dun_yellow_softhackle.htm[/url:081b0]
For some genetic reason that I can't explain the barbules that cause the barbs to cling togther are weaker with this particular line of hen saddle hackle than others that I've tried, including other Whiting products. The barbs separate easily when tying and don't tend to mat up when the fly becomes wet when fishing.

Keep exploring the use of hen hackle from different producers. It's comparatively inexpensive as hackle goes and I think you'll find a wide variety of charateristics and qualities that you can make use of.