How red is red?

[azygous]

Besides the red in the wattles and comb, look for "engorging". Combs of infertile hens and pullets are dry and shriveled. As the hormones surge, the tissue becomes engorged with new blood and it swells, sort of like a wet sponge.

So, look for the combs to look larger and more erect in addition to being a deep red color, minus the dry appearance.

 

[shannondee12]

so how big should the waddles be on a SLW hen?

 

[azygous]

I have Wyandottes, and their combs and wattles differ in size dramatically. It's the QUALITY of the tissue you're looking for. It just looks better after the hormones come alive. You'll know it when you see it. It's the difference between baby skin and old wrinkled grandpa skin.