9 month old chicken with no comb - dont think she is laying yet

[Ridgerunner]

She looks healthy enough.
And yes, i'm pretty sure comb size/colour is related to the egg-laying hormones.

Comb size has nothing to do with laying. Nothing. Comb size is purely genetics. Here is another thread about this pullet.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...nd-not-sure-what-breed.1650226/#post-28335242

When a pullet or hen is laying her comb and wattles typically turn bright red. If she is not laying they are usually pale pink or even yellowish. The bright red comb and wattles are the rooster's sign that he is laying and her eggs need to be fertilized. Many roosters don't have much interest in mating a hen with a pale comb.

That comb looks relatively red. If she is not laying she may be close. Have you checked the vent? If a hen or pullet is laying or close to laying her vent is pink, moist, and large. If she is not laying the vent should be dry and tight. If you can compare a few the difference is obvious.

 

[OrpingtonManiac]

Comb size has nothing to do with laying. Nothing. Comb size is purely genetics. Here is another thread about this pullet.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...nd-not-sure-what-breed.1650226/#post-28335242

When a pullet or hen is laying her comb and wattles typically turn bright red. If she is not laying they are usually pale pink or even yellowish. The bright red comb and wattles are the rooster's sign that he is laying and her eggs need to be fertilized. Many roosters don't have much interest in mating a hen with a pale comb.

That comb looks relatively red. If she is not laying she may be close. Have you checked the vent? If a hen or pullet is laying or close to laying her vent is pink, moist, and large. If she is not laying the vent should be dry and tight. If you can compare a few the difference is obvious.

Oh i didnt know that, thanks for telling me!

 

[SDChickies]

What breed/breeds is she? There are a number of different shapes for chicken combs and they usually match where/for what purpose the breed was created. Buckeyes and amerocaunas usually have pea combs, which makes them ideal combs for birds who can withstand harsher temps, as they are less likely to get frostbite. I have a few smaller chickens that have similar small size combs, and they are breeds that don't lay many eggs to begin with. Maybe 2-3/week? These birds usually are the ones I wait on the longest for them to start laying in the spring as well. Maybe she's not laying due to a combination of that breed's characteristics as well as what season we're currently in like others mentioned...

Not sure her breed. I was told she was a New Hampshire red when I got her but she doesn't look like one (though her sister does). I was thinking Black Star? But that breed has a comb.

 

[SDChickies]

What breed/breeds is she? There are a number of different shapes for chicken combs and they usually match where/for what purpose the breed was created. Buckeyes and amerocaunas usually have pea combs, which makes them ideal combs for birds who can withstand harsher temps, as they are less likely to get frostbite. I have a few smaller chickens that have similar small size combs, and they are breeds that don't lay many eggs to begin with. Maybe 2-3/week? These birds usually are the ones I wait on the longest for them to start laying in the spring as well. Maybe she's not laying due to a combination of that breed's characteristics as well as what season we're currently in like others mentioned...

I wish I knew her breed, but I'm not sure.

 

[aart]

This little lady (Darth Chickie) is 9 months old and never really developed a comb (though she does have a cute little mohawk). I've also never seen her use the lay box. Could her lack of comb be related to her not laying? (My other gals lay eggs regularly. )

Are you sure she's not laying?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

 

[SDChickies]

Are you sure she's not laying?
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/who-is-laying-and-who-is-not-butt-check.73309/

This is helpful - thanks!