Faded earlobes and combs

[shaky]

My three Orpingtons are laying daily, but the reds are fading to blotchy pink on comb and earlobes.
I haven't noticed bleaching anywhere else. Is this due to demands of egg-production?
They have oyster shell, but don't seem to want it.
All seem healthy.

 

[Justino]

mines combs change color a lot, so i wouldn't worry unless u got other symptoms

 

[ruth]

Their combs will get a darker red as they get closer to laying and will lighten up afterwards. They also work as temperature gauges and can lighten and darken depending on temps. Don't worry about it as long as they are healthy otherwise.

 

[shaky]

Actually, they ARE laying, and as the days go on, their combs, lobes, and wattles are growing increasingly paler.
As I said, though, their behavior seems healthy as ever.

 

[ruth]

Sorry if I confused you. I mean actually laying the egg. Dark red right before, lighter right after.

 

[RavenStorm]

Quote:
What breed of chickens are they? If they are a yellow-skinned breed, then when they start laying eggs they go through what is called the bleaching sequence. Different parts of the chicken will grow paler depending on the number of eggs that chicken has laid. Here is the sequence the way I learned it, but it is not definite:

Location of bleaching: # of eggs required
Vent: 0-10
Eye Ring: 8-12
Earlobe: 8-10
Skin around the Beak: 35
Bottom of feet: 50-60
Front of shank: 90-100

 

[sammi]

what all do you feed?
have they been wormed?
checked/treated for mites?
describe the droppings..color and consistency..

most likely due to laying..
but doesn't hurt to check these other things..