Comb getting redder and then suddenly going pale?

[PowellAnimals]

I have two 21 week old Dominiques. Over the past two weeks I have watched both of their combs get redder and grow. Suddenly, two days ago, one of their combs has shrunk and become more pale. The other one's has not changed. Neither are laying yet. Both are acting perfectly normal and I am not seeing any external parasites. Does this indicate a problem with the one? Or is this just happening due to the cold we have been experiencing - although in this case why one and not the other?

Both ->The one whose comb has shrunk on top

The one whose comb has not shrunk ->

The one whose comb has shrunk->



The one whose comb has shrunk on the left and the one whose comb is still red and big on the right->

 

[ChickenCanoe]

The issue is most likely shorter days, not cold. Pullets/hens without the hormones to produce eggs will have shrunken/paler combs. That is primarily a function of increasing or decreasing light in relation to dark.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Her comb is not pale. She looks fine.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Combs will fluctuate slightly in color from stress, molt, etc. Pale combs (your birds are perfectly healthy) indicate a health issue. You've nothing to worry about. 21 weeks is still young to be laying. Your birds look point of lay though and would suspect an egg any week now.

 

[aart]

Comb color can fluctuate from minute to minute(well, almost) between when bird is excited, stressed, active and relaxed, calm, etc.
Drove me nuts when my first pullets were getting close to lay.


Signs of onset of lay---I've found the pelvic points to be the most accurate.
Squatting:
If you touch their back they will hunker down on the ground, then shake their tail feathers when they get back up.
This shows they are sexually mature and egg laying is close at hand.

Combs and Wattles:
Plump, shiny red - usually means laying.
Shriveled, dryish looking and pale - usually means not laying.
Tho I have found that the combs and wattles can look full and red one minute then pale back out the next due to exertion or excitement, can drive ya nuts when waiting for a pullet to lay!

2 bony points(pelvic bones) on either side of vent:
Less than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means not laying.
More than 2 fingertip widths apart usually means laying.

 

[sweetangelica]

Im not sure if im doin this right,, i am new to raisin my girls i have 12 habe had them for a few months new to laying have 9 out of 12 laying problem went out yesterday one eggs was whitish in color and thin the others are all brown i give em oyster shell .went out this am and had 9 normal and 1 again real thin almost like no shell should i be worried? Thanks for help

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Im not sure if im doin this right,, i am new to raisin my girls i have 12 habe had them for a few months new to laying have 9 out of 12 laying problem went out yesterday one eggs was whitish in color and thin the others are all brown i give em oyster shell .went out this am and had 9 normal and 1 again real thin almost like no shell should i be worried? Thanks for help

Normal for soft or shell less eggs when birds start laying. As long as they have layer feed or oyster shell it will soon work out. Their reproductive parts mature at varying times. So at start of lay all sorts of odd things can come out but it soon corrects itself.

 

[sweetangelica]

My hen had a problem with soft or no shell eggs they r getting harder but r white egg with a few lite brown spots question is it still ediable and will it get brown like the other eggs

 

[PowellAnimals]

Good to know she looks okay. Her comb shrinking was confusing me. Hoping for some eggs soon!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

My hen had a problem with soft or no shell eggs they r getting harder but r white egg with a few lite brown spots question is it still ediable and will it get brown like the other eggs

It's edible, just not applying pigment in the shell gland.
There are problems with her oviduct but there is no reason not to eat the eggs.