Earlobes turned white

[Ryguy3684]

2 of my 10 buff oprington hens earlobes turned white around the point of laying. They are still white. The others are now laying and all their earlobes are red. Is this just a genetic thing, or is there another reason behind this? They are perfectly healthy and happy. Thanks.

 

[SueT]

How old are they? Do they all lay brown eggs?
Photos would help.....

 

[Ryguy3684]

How old are they? Do they all lay brown eggs?
Photos would help.....

I'll get a good photo later. They are both in the nesting box right now. They'll all be 25 weeks on Sunday. The two with white ears laid first, but most of the others have been laying for a couple weeks now. Mostly brown eggs. One white earlobe lays brown speckled eggs and the other is creamy brown. The rest rest are varying shades of tan/brown. I'm not too concerned, I just didn't know if this happens with some birds.

 

[NatJ]

Yes, caused by genetics. Some breeds have red earlobes, some have white.

Buff Orpingtons are supposed to have red earlobes, but white ones will not cause any problems for them. (Unless you try to enter them in a chicken show.)

 

[Ryguy3684]

Yes, caused by genetics. Some breeds have red earlobes, some have white.

Buff Orpingtons are supposed to have red earlobes, but white ones will not cause any problems for them. (Unless you try to enter them in a chicken show.)

That's what I figured. No shows for these girls. Just eggs. Thanks.

 

[The Happster]

A fair few of my Orps get pale white earlobes after a certain age.
They aren't white like Leghorn, more of a white tinge, but still pretty noticeable.

As long as you don't intend to show them, there's no need to worry.

 

[Ryguy3684]

One of them is finished. She's bobbing around eating so it's not the best pic.

 

[aart]

White on red earlobes has always been a mystery to me.
Appears to be something on the surface...and tends to come and go.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Red earlobes are red because the membrane covering them are thin and clear, you are seeing the color of the blood underneath. White earlobes have a white pigment that blocks you seeing the blood underneath. That is determined by genetics. I wouldn't be surprised if there is more than one gene that affects that. Chicken genetics aren't always simple, it seems there is always something to complicate it.

I don't know where you got them, I'd guess a hatchery. This is one of those things that if the person selecting which chickens get to breed uses it as a criteria they can manage it. But if they don't pay attention to it they aren't controlling it. Unless they are breeding for show most people aren't going to use this as an important criteria. There are other things more important.

Bottom line, it just means they are not show quality chickens. No health problems, nothing to worry about.

 

[NatJ]

Red earlobes are red because the membrane covering them are thin and clear, you are seeing the color of the blood underneath. White earlobes have a white pigment that blocks you seeing the blood underneath. That is determined by genetics.

And then you get blue earlobes in Silkies, with white pigment over dark skin