Change in comb

[5.3acredream]

I have 6 pullets hatched May 5th and recently picked up a rooster. To the best of my knowledge, all my girls are lively, alert, and healthy.
They have day long access to All Flock, oyster shell, crushed granite, and a five station nipple waterer. They are in a 20x20 run during the week, are free range during the weekend. 2-3 days a week I give them some food scraps like squash with seeds or watermelon or apples etc...
When my rooster was brought over from the farm up the road, he had a brilliant red, glossy comb. Now, a month later, his comb is red, but dry looking-rough textured. None of my girls have glossy combs with one pullet laying. I know the rooster's former owner had her flock fulltime ranging and put additives in their water like oregano but I'm not sure what.

Am I missing something here? Is my flock missing some nutrition?

 

[azygous]

While a pale dried out appearing comb can signal an illness, if your new rooster is of molting age, that might be the reason. During molt, often fertility is diminished and the combs on hens and roosters alike can become atrophied and dry.

If your rooster is over a year old, he could be experiencing his first molt. Roosters often molt discretely, so you may not see the feather loss. Look under his neck feathers for lots of tiny pin feathers poking out like quills. That will confirm he's molting.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

… if your new rooster is of molting age, that might be the reason. During molt, often fertility is diminished and the combs on hens and roosters alike can become atrophied and dry.... If your rooster is over a year old, he could be experiencing his first molt.... Look under his neck feathers for lots of tiny pin feathers poking out like quills...

No disrespect or intent to hijack this thread but that is pen feathers. Historically blood feathers or quills were the standard instrument used for writing.

Therefor a gentleman's pen knife was historically used to sharpened up or dress the quill he used for writing.

As you were troops.