chickens comb color? hope this is the right forum?

[cwren]

I have noticed that my gold lace wyandotte's have lighter combs than my dominiques. We tried to look at the skin of one and could not see much of it due to smaller feathers but what we did see did not show any kind of mite or lice, they do not itch or preen more than the others. The rooster has some odd white streaks in his wattle (is it called that? )

So I am new to this, I heard that a lighter comb is sign of illness or parasites, they seem ok. Is this true? They are young, bought as chicks Feb. 7.
Thanks!

 

[sylviethecochin]

It's an indication of something possibly being wrong, but it could also just be a breed difference. My larger hens go off-lay and get less comfortable when it's hot. Under those circumstances, the RIRs' combs are definitely paler than the leghorns' are.

Also, there are animals that are just naturally pale. When you check goats for worms, you look at their gums. (FAMACHA score. Anemia = worms.) But I knew one lady who raises goats for the fair, and by that standard, her two best girls constantly needed wormed.

 

[cwren]

well.. we do live in South Carolina so of course it is warm, lol. 'warm' being only the 80s. We have a thermometer that is monitored in the house so they don't get past about 82 w/o us intervening. The other chickens do not have paler combs so maybe it is the breed; or at least this particular batch of that breed? I guess I will just wait and see.

 

[Mrs. K]

If they are active, clear eyed, eating well, I don’t worry about them. Sometimes a bluish comb can indicate a heart problem, but you really can’t do anything about it.

If they are lively don’t worry, if you see mites or worms do something.

MrsK

 

[lomine]

If you got them as chicks in Feb they are about 5.5 months now. Sounds to me like they are getting ready to lay. Those with the darker red combs are maturing faster and will likely lay earlier.

 

[Mrs. K]

On thinking on it, I think Iomine to has it right.