Broody hen, pale comb

[kevinnini]

I noticed that my Ancona's comb went quite pale when she became broody...I thought she may have been ill...after several months of broodiness, she finally got over it and became a regular member of the flock. since then, her comb has become nice and red again...Is this something everybody but me knows about!..Kevin​

 

[sourland]

Several months of broodiness is very debilitating to a hen. That long in a nest site frequently leads to mite infestation and resultant anemia. Glad that she has recovered - some brood so long that they die.

 

[donrae]

I was raised that a red comb is a sign of sexual maturity and fertility. Since a broody isn't fertile........well, she could be but her body isn't wanting to produce any more eggs now, her energy is going to other things..........the comb goes pale. Once she's ready to start laying again it reddens back up to let the rooster know she's available. Same for molting........not producing eggs now, energy going elsewhere, pale comb. Illness............pale comb, not in a good place to make babies right now.

 

[kevinnini]

cool and good to know..it was a really striking difference in color...thanks for the replys