Comb color

[llombardo]

First year having chickens and probably the worst year weather wise.

I noticed my RIR kind of sitting in the corner, which may be to lay an egg.she got right up when she thought I had trears, but I noticed her comb is now pink versus red. She seems to have started molting also.

Back in Novrmber we had an awful storm and a branch took out the run. I was able to piece that together. I made a pen in the house just in case. We ended up with lots more snow and -55 temps. Before that I brought them all in the house, which is probably why they are molting.

I am getting a few eggs. I know the EE is not laying but I can not determine who else is not.

I checked her bottom, no issues. Poop is good, she is eating well and acting completely normal. I did put electrolytes and probiotics in the water. Should I give her some Nutri drench?

Do the combs generally go pink if they stop laying? Is this normal or do I have an issue?

Thank you for any help-I have grown attached to these creatures.

 

[azygous]

A photo would help is judge the color. Some hens do lose color in their combs when they molt. Tell us please, how old are the chickens and did they molt already in the fall just past?

A pale comb the color of bologna is not a good sign, though. When a comb fades to the color of lunch meat, it's often due to illness.

Most of us have grown so attached to our chickens that it's sometimes embarrassing. Don't feel alone in your addiction.

 

[llombardo]

They will be a year March 1st. The comb is pink like when she was younger before it got red and this would be the first molt. The EE's comb is similar in color and I know she isn't laying right now.

 

[azygous]

Being less than one year, they probably will not molt until next fall. This isn't to say they can't molt now, but it's not very likely.

It is normal, though, for combs to fad as the hormones go into sleep mode during the short days of winter. As we approach 12 hours of daylight, hens will normally begin laying again.

 

[rebrascora]

A bright red plump comb is a sign that the bird is fertile and ovulating. It is normal for them to go pale and dry when not ovulating, which is usually during moult or when broody. Your bird is a little young to be moulting but there have been quite a few cases of birds younger than a year moulting this winter which may be down to environmental factors. If they are acting otherwise reasonably healthy I would not worry too much and just keep an eye on them.

 

[centrarchid]

Up her protein a bit. I am seeing some feather issue with laying hens that being kept on a diet a little low on protein as eggs not wanted just yet. Next year feed will be kept a little richer on protein side.

 

[llombardo]

It looks like the EE, the RIR, the faverolle and one brahma have the lighter combs right now. The barred rock and the other brahma are still red.

When I went back there was an egg where she was laying.

I gave them some catfood, kale,and ham as a treat. They get a small amt of meal worms mixed with other bugs everyday. They get all flock. Tonite I will make them some scramble eggs.

 

[llombardo]

Being less than one year, they probably will not molt until next fall. This isn't to say they can't molt now, but it's not very likely.

It is normal, though, for combs to fad as the hormones go into sleep mode during the short days of winter. As we approach 12 hours of daylight, hens will normally begin laying again.

I believe she laid an egg today. It was in the spot where she was last.

 

[azygous]

Are you saying the RIR laid an egg? That's wonderful! Her pale comb should get more red as her hormones take stronger hold.

 

[llombardo]

On another note--they really liked the ham.

What are some other high protein things I can give? I try to give them cat food a couple days a week plus the bugs daily.