Comb Progression: Prior to Laying
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Photo examples of my hens prior to laying.
Zela-Australorp, Butter-Delaware, Honey-Delaware,Pippa-Sebright Bantam, Lavender-EE Bantam.
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Depending on its breed, a hen's comb will grow at variable rates.
In some breeds, prior to laying, the comb reddens and grows rapidly in size.
In other breeds the comb remains small and smooth.
Below you will find a small sampling of different combs prior to laying, at point of lay and after several months of laying.
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Zela-Australorp, Butter-Delaware, Honey-Delaware,Pippa-Sebright Bantam, Lavender-EE Bantam.
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Depending on its breed, a hen's comb will grow at variable rates.
In some breeds, prior to laying, the comb reddens and grows rapidly in size.
In other breeds the comb remains small and smooth.
Below you will find a small sampling of different combs prior to laying, at point of lay and after several months of laying.
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12/05/07 - Hens 26 days before first egg.
4 months old - Zela (above) 26 days to first egg
4 months old - Pippa (above) 54 days to first egg.
4 months old - Lavender (below) 51 days to first egg.
4 months old - Honey and Butter (above & below) - 26 days to first egg.
12/10/07 - First Squat - 19 weeks old - 21 days to first egg
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12/16/07 - 20 weeks old - Hens 15 days to first egg
Butter (above) squatting for 3 days - 15 days to first egg
Zela (above) - Not squatting - 15 days to first egg
Honey (below) First to squat - 15 days to first egg
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12/31/07 or 01/01/08 (between 10pm and 1 am) --------- First egg
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01/01/08 - First Egg Laying Day!
Honey (left and below)- laying pullet 01/01/08 and Pippa (right) 26 days to first egg.
Note the change in size and color of Honey's comb. It is redder and nearly double in size compared to the first picture.
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Examples of mature combs:
Pippa 10 months old (above) laying for 5 months.
Lavender 10 months old (below) laying for 5 months.
Honey 15 months old (above) laying for 9 months.
Zela 15 months old (below) laying for 9 months.
