Hen feathers are softer than rooster so you might try a hen neck. Conranch capes come with the side feathers (sorry Denny can't remember the name for these feathers) and they are softer than the hackles. I also read that the Indian necks are softer than genetic hackle but, I have not been impressed with the over all quality of the Indian product. I used up an entire Indian neck and have found Conrach, Whiting, and others to be superior (even though more expensive). Starling also makes a good wet fly hackle and is inexpensive.