Barred rock hens and their combs

[Devinbryant]

My fiancé bought some chicks from tractor supply one grew into a rooster and two we’re hands but I see a big difference between the look of the two hens one grew into a very red distinct comb not as big as the roosters of course and the other hen never really grew a comb and often has a much paler face. This is not something new where all of a sudden she’s pale she just never became red in the face or grew a comb. They are about 20 weeks old. Is this normal?

I’m going to attach photos of each of the ladies Liza sporting her very red comb and Judy with a very small and pale comb, I don’t know if you’d even call it a comb. Is this something I should be concerned about?

The boy did begin picking at Judy, the smaller combed and smaller overall bird this last week. I separated her for a day and put on a hen apron and that protected her back features and I’m trying to bulk her up by feeding her separate to make sure she’s getting her fill but I worry there is something else wrong potentially with her. Any thoughts?

 

[black_cat]

Full body pics would help tell the gender.

 

[camochick96]

At 20 weeks is the first photographed hen laying yet? Is the second hen not laying? Comb and wattle development drastically changes from POL and just the few weeks before that.

 

[Devinbryant]

At 20 weeks is the first photographed hen laying yet? Is the second hen not laying? Comb and wattle development drastically changes from POL and just the few weeks before that.

Neither hen is laying yet.

 

[Devinbryant]

Full body pics would help tell the gender.

Oh they are both girls next to the rooster there is no denying that.

 

[camochick96]

Neither hens are laying yet.

Hmm my guess would be that hen #1 is closer to POL. I would expect an egg from her soon. Maybe hen #2 is just a late bloomer and you’ll get eggs later. Maybe someone else knows what is going on better, but that would be my guess.

 

[black_cat]

Oh they are both girls next to the rooster there is no denying that.

I'd say that they are hens, the one with the larger comb at point of lay.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

I think the one with the short comb is a dominique while the other two are barred rocks, the one in the back is a rooster.

Oh they are both girls next to the rooster there is no denying that.

 

[Devinbryant]

At 20 weeks is the first photographed hen laying yet? Is the second hen not laying? Comb and wattle development drastically changes from POL and just the few weeks before that.

Sorry I had to google POL. So it is possible Liza the one with a larger comb is just maturing faster to lay them Judy who might just be a slower to mature?

 

[camochick96]

Do you have any pictures close up of the second hens comb? That should confirm if she’s a barred rock or Dominique. BR have a single comb while doms have a rose comb.