27 Week Old Australorp, No Comb!

[meggybeth]

Hello!! I've searched these forums for help, but couldn't find anything really.

I have a 27 week old pullet. I have 4 total in my backyard coop...and three of them are doing awesome! Full combs and wattles, 2 have started laying (despite being the middle of winter and freezing temps)...the third showing all the signs she will start laying soon. I'm worried about my Australorp hen. She barely has a comb or wattle. I've attached photos. Her health overall seems good- she eats, drinks, poops etc like the rest of them. She is never too interested in me, and rarely takes snacks from my hands like the other girls. More concerning, she is not showing any signs of laying anytime soon. Has anyone had any experience with this? Any suggestions? Advice? Thanks in advance!

 

[sourland]

From the pictures she appears to be in excellent condition. She's just a slower maturing pullet.

 

[aart]

That comb is awfully small..the size could be a genetic anomaly.
But it looks pretty red, are you sure she's not laying?

Butt checks might be in order:
Vent Appearance:
Dry, tight, and smaller - usually not laying.
Moist, wide, and larger - usually laying.

Pelvic Points 2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[meggybeth]

100% sure she is not laying. She barely let me near her- super skittish for an Australorp (my legbar is nicer than her). I just checked her, again no signs of laying....but appears smaller...and less than 2 fingers.

 

[aart]

100% sure she is not laying. She barely let me near her- super skittish for an Australorp (my legbar is nicer than her). I just checked her, again no signs of laying....but appears smaller...and less than 2 fingers.

I usually examine them off the roost at night, much easier to 'catch' them then.
Will be curious to see if her comb actually grows larger when she does start laying.

 

[meggybeth]

I'll re-examine her tonight! And will post if she starts laying with her little comb or if it gets any larger!

 

[Werthmanfarms22]

What was the outcome? We have the exact same thing with our black australorp. We have 4 hens as well and all 3 are great, healthy, look normal and even 1 is laying despite it being cold. They are 22 weeks now. Our one black has really no comb, no signs of laying, she’s bigger than all the other hens and she has iridescent feathers unlike our other black.

 

[TX Chick Noob]

What was the outcome? We have the exact same thing with our black australorp. We have 4 hens as well and all 3 are great, healthy, look normal and even 1 is laying despite it being cold. They are 22 weeks now. Our one black has really no comb, no signs of laying, she’s bigger than all the other hens and she has iridescent feathers unlike our other black.

This is a really old thread and the OP hasn’t been seen since that time. It would be a good idea to start a new thread, and try to post pics of your pullets.