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Comb size question

post #1 of 11
5/8/12 at 9:08pm
Thread Starter 

I was wondering if the size of the pullets/hens comb has anything to do with her dominance? My alpha pullet Shirley has the biggest comb and waddles compared to her 4 sisters.

Here she is 

May chicks 066.JPG

Here is one of her sister Mabel

May chicks 067.JPG

and another sister Betty she is just finishing up a molt.

May chicks 068.JPG

Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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post #2 of 11
5/8/12 at 9:11pm

Sorry, to new to give you an answer but this is an interesting question.  I will watch what answers you get.  Thank you.

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post #3 of 11
5/8/12 at 9:18pm
Thread Starter 

I had a very hard time telling who was the alpha girl for the longest time. They all got along so well, until I had one get an impacted crop and had to be separated from the rest of the flock for awhile. Then their true colors really shined. It was quite the comb pulling battle for a few days. I am just wondering if this is just how my girls ended up or if others find this to be true. And if the alpha hen changes would/does that hens comb grow bigger?

Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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post #4 of 11
5/12/12 at 7:32pm
Thread Starter 

Still wonder about this so I am bumping it up. 

Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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post #5 of 11
5/12/12 at 9:27pm

WHEN ALL ELSE IS EQUAL, the bigger and redder comb is associated with birds in better health.  This may be most important with roosters which others chickens look at but it may play some role in hens as well.

 

In my birds, roosters with larger combs may have more testosterone and therefore appear to be more agressive.

Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
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Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
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post #6 of 11
5/12/12 at 9:46pm
Thread Starter 

I have no Roos and never have. Shirley my girl with the biggest reddest comb also has a more red body then the others. We always thought she was maybe from a different hatch or different parents all together. I thought that could be why, then she started becoming more dominate. So I figured it was just a dominance things. I have only had chicken since July so I am still trying to figure them out.

Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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post #7 of 11
5/12/12 at 9:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nakstk View Post

I have no Roos and never have. Shirley my girl with the biggest reddest comb also has a more red body then the others. We always thought she was maybe from a different hatch or different parents all together. I thought that could be why, then she started becoming more dominate. So I figured it was just a dominance things. I have only had chicken since July so I am still trying to figure them out.

 I think same rules apply for hens in respect to combs.

Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
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Make every effort to understand your chicken's biology and the environment that supports it.
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post #8 of 11
5/12/12 at 9:51pm
Thread Starter 

Thanks 

Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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post #9 of 11
5/13/12 at 1:24pm

Niki

This is a really interesting observation.  In my chickens---it has been the oldest that has had the most seniority in the pecking order---and they basically go down the totem pole based on age.  

 

I do have one closer to the bottom with a larger comb than my top two...but then she is about 1-year younger.  Your idea is a really good one. 

"Was dich nicht umwirft, macht dich starker"   "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."-Friedrich Nietzsche 
My new tag line...added to the end of every sentence--->  "...... after all, they ARE chickens!!!"

 

Here's a link to my BYC page:  http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chickats-page

Here's a link to my BYC blog of sorts http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/jottings

 

 

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"Was dich nicht umwirft, macht dich starker"   "What doesn't kill you, makes you stronger."-Friedrich Nietzsche 
My new tag line...added to the end of every sentence--->  "...... after all, they ARE chickens!!!"

 

Here's a link to my BYC page:  http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/chickats-page

Here's a link to my BYC blog of sorts http://www.backyardchickens.com/a/jottings

 

 

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post #10 of 11
6/1/12 at 3:30pm
Thread Starter 

any one else have any insight on this? idunno.gif

Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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Hi my name is Niki I have 1 awesome Hubby, 2 great boys, 1 brown Beagle, 1 Jack Russell Mix and 5 Speckled Sussex, 2 Welsummers

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