How red is red?

[shannondee12]

Everyone keeps telling me to check the comb on my hens. That they will turn redder as they get close to laying. But my question is how red? I have a BO and 3 SLW and they are all different shades of red. The BO is still pink in my opinion but 2 of the SLW look way more red this week than the last few weeks. They are 15 weeks, give or take a few days. They do have extra light in the coop also.


My BO boy started crowing about 3 weeks ago but is still in the practice stage. He isn't real strong at it yet. He has been mounting the girls occasionally for the last couple of weeks.

 

[shannondee12]

 

[Studio2770]

They are getting there. They usually lay at around 18 weeks but could start later or sooner. I don't know when Wyandottes or Orpingtons start. Once they're red(like yours), I check for how big the comb and wattle get.

 

[amyandkids]

Nothing worse than counting down days, LOL!! I think they look nice and red, but 15 weeks is a bit young. I know to look for squatting and singing the egg song! I know its not too attractive but I look at the vents when they will be laying soon it will be a bigger opening and it will be wet, gross I know, but its always about a week after the vent looks "ready"!! But good luck with your beautiful girls and handsome boy! Hopefully they are early bloomers and do lay soon!!

impatiently waiting!!!

 

[shannondee12]

The reason I ask is because I need to get food this week and wasn't sure if I should start the switch to layer or get another bag of grower.

 

[Studio2770]

The reason I ask is because I need to get food this week and wasn't sure if I should start the switch to layer or get another bag of grower.

I think it says on the bags when to change feed which is around 18 weeks of age. In my experience, when my layers went back to grower b/c the young ones can't have layer, they were perfectly fine. If yours start early then you should probably get layer.

 

[amyandkids]

Also you can give them the grower and free choice oyster shell or calcium of your choice!! Then at 20 weeks switch to layer feed. Its what I do about that age!

 

[shannondee12]

I have grit out for them but they free range over several acres for most of the day and don't seem to bother or even need what I put out for them.

 

[3chickchicks]

Mine got red before their combs and waddles finished developing.

 

[Studio2770]

Mine got red before their combs and waddles finished developing.

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