HELP! My hens comb is shrinking!

[Flock Master64]

Today when I went to bring my free range flock some water I picked my white leghorn to bring her over to the waterer and I noticed her comb was significantly smaller. It's usually hanging over her eye but now it's so small it doesn't hang over the side of her face anymore. She is not currently laying and she is molting maybe that played a facor?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

During periods of non-production a hen's comb will often "shrink" -- it may appear small, shriveled, dry and pale (or any combination thereof). The appearance of comb/wattles is one of the factors considered when evaluating a flock for production.

 

[Flock Master64]

Will she be ok and will it go back to normal? And what do you mean by non-production

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Will she be ok and will it go back to normal? And what do you mean by non-production

"production" in relation to hens refers to actively producing eggs -- a hen that is in a non-productive state is not laying whether due to broodiness, age, health, molt, etc. When she returns to production her comb and wattles will return to the condition seen in a productive bird.

 

[Flock Master64]

Ok, thank you so much