A little concerned?

[chickenlorena]

My 8 month-old golden comet's comb is very drooppy although it's still bright red. She's acting perfectly normal, eating well, very active, feathers look clean and shiny, vent clean, laying eggs... I picked her up today to pet her as usual and I thought she "felt" a little lighter, or maybe it was my imagination? How do I know if she's really loosing weight? I was able to feel her breastbone without any problems but I think in this breed it's normal. Any suggestions?? Should I worry?

Thanks!

Lorena

 

[Yay Chicks!]

I'll be interested in what people say. I've always been able to feel my birds keel bones clearly, but they appear to be very healthy and are fed free choice.

 

[yomama]

I wish I had some advice for you too, but I am at a loss for a similiar thing as well. I posted about my bantam hen being very thin, but otherwise just fine, but didn't get too many responses. I'll be curious to see what your responses are. Hope your hen is ok.

 

[chickenlorena]

Thanks to both for your responses! Maybe someone else can enlighten us all

Lorena

 

[MissJenny]

I have a similar concern, particularly with winter coming on -- one friend suggested adding bacon to their feed -- aside from crumbles I make them a plate of broccoli, rice and cabbage daily. So I mix in some bacon. Also I read on here that the corn in the scratch grains and BOSS will both add some bulk, so I've started adding those daily. It's been too soon to notice the difference, but I am hoping to add some weight to all of mine -- I want them to be comfy over the winter.

Jenny

 

[chickenlorena]

Thanks! Truthfully, I'm more concerned about her droopy comb than her weight...

Lorena

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=121821

This thread has a moderator's answer in it.

 

[chickenlorena]

Thanks!!!! I feel much better now

 

[Judy]

One more reassurance. My oldest chicken is a variety of leghorn, about 3.5 years. Her comb has always drooped so far it covers one eye. She is the scrappiest of the lot, and beats the others to treats all the time. She is by far the smallest, but certainly not the lowest in the pecking order! She also still lays almost daily, even this time of year when the others have slowed down. (She lays the only white egg I get.)

 

[sourland]

If the comb is bright red and all other behaviors are normal, I think she is fine. Some just have larger combs which tend to droop over. This is very common in all of the single combed leghorn varieties.