Floppy light red combs

[lsherack]

Hi chicken lovers,
I am new here and am glad to have found you all. I hope this is the correct place to be posting as it is a bit confusing when new to this. I have had a few backyard chooks for last 5 years. My first lot of chickens where 6 Isa Browns 1 gold silky bantam and 2 red frizzle feather batams, all hens.
I had the Isa Browns for over 3 years and as time went on I lost one that died and the other 5 Isa Browns where sent to chicken heaven by my husband because they didn't lay much anymore and the whites of the eggs where very runny. One frizzle feather bantam was scared to death by the dog sadly. The other two batams are still doing well and the frizzle is still laying at 4 yrs old. The Silky would be somewhere around 6 or 7 yrs old and not layed in a while now. 10 weeks ago I purchase a new lot of 10 week old chooks. I bought 2 white leg horns, 2 Rhode Iland reds and two Australorps. The Australorps have started laying and 1 of the leg horns has also. I noticed someone was asking about the floppy comb on the leg horns and I was wondering about that too. I also would like to know if their combs are supposed to be bright red like the other chickens because my two's combs are more of a light red in colour? They eat well and act normal but when the Isa brown I had died its comb had lost a lot of its colour and had become floppy. I now know that floppy is ok, but what about the colour.

 

[silkiechicken]

It's possible the birds are not laying yet so their combs aren't bright red. But once they are actually laying their eggs, the combs should become a healthy red, but keep it's floppy nature. Could also be that they are "pale" vs the more colorful chickens too, or that their flop is so big that the top part can be strained under the weight of the comb.

If they are being sluggish or acting "off" otherwise, then I'd start to worry.

 

[CK Chickadilly]

Welcome!

I too had basically the same question....
I have 2 bantam hens that are laying eggs. The one that acts like the "boss" her comb is a lighter red & almost looks like she may of had a little frostbite to it at sometime. I just got them in June & I know for a fact that the gal I got them from didn't give a toot about any of her chickens.

Also, could the coloring be a sign that maybe she is getting old?

 

[countrygirl4513]

I've got basically the same problem, floppy pale comb on a leghorn...but I know she is sick... has been since she matured.She is now 6mos. She's extremely overweighted in the breast area and waddles more than walks. I've hesitated putting her down because she does eat and drink but her breathing is very labored. She seems happy and I figured she will go when it's time to, on her own. But lately I'm concerned about the floppy comb. It aggravates the heck out of her because it flops over her eye and she is constantly having to shake her head for relief. Any recommendations? The ailment evidently isn't contagious due to the fact that the rest of the flock is fine and healthy. I just don't know what to do for her...

 

[countrygirl4513]

Well as I figured last night Big Donna was getting weaker, she died this morning. There was a stream of drool a foot in length, so I'm assuming asphyxiation. Her tig ole bitty's were just too heavy for her to pack around. Rest in peace, Big Donna.

 

[lsherack]

Sorry to hear Big Donna has gone to Chicken heaven, but hopefully she is happy there
As for the pale floppy comb on my leghorn I will just keep an eye her since she seems healthy and happy enough at this time.
Next question: How do I get my chicken to lay in the laying box of at least away from where they roost. I have two nice laying boxes that my old chickens (now gone) and my bantam always use. The new chickens started using the laying boxes but then I suspect the Astrolorpes have gotten too big to fit in the boxes and the other chickens (except the bantam) are following suit. I even put a ox with low sides and no top where I had the laying boxes and the young chickens still make a next in the corner where they roost and lay their eggs there. I then have to get a rake and pull the eggs across the lucerine and saw dust I put down for them that also has chook poo on it. Is there a way to force them into the boxes or even the box with low sides and no top or will they just keep laying where they want to?