Is this normal?

[Birdwatcher804]

These two BOs (Grace and Greta) are the exact same age - 5 1/2 months. However, their combs and wattles are drastically different. The one on the left (Grace) has always had a pale comb and wattles. Sometimes it will turn dark when she runs or gets agitated. She is perfectly healthy, as far as my eye can see. I'm just curious as to why her comb and wattles are so pale and smaller than Greta's. Greta started laying about a week ago.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Different birds mature at different rates even with the same parents.

Red is an indicator of the hormones. You should see your other girl red up as she gets closer to laying. Some of my same breed girls lay more than a month apart. Completely normal.

Pretty girls!

And congrats on your first eggs!

 

[coach723]

Hopefully she is just a little slower to mature, which happens, but I'm going to share the following just for info just in case.
It's possible that she has a heart problem. The darkening when she runs or gets agitated could indicate lack of oxygen, which suggests that her heart maybe isn't up to the task.
I recently lost one to heart failure at 7 months old. Same symptoms, pale and underdeveloped comb and wattles, she never laid, her comb and wattles would turn darker/bluish/purple under stress or activity. She stopped running at all, only walked slowly. She grew and feathered out normally, was a good weight, not fat, no other signs of illness at all. I did suspect that she had a heart problem, and could feel her heart racing and beating through her chest when holding her. I did necropsy her when she passed and she had an enormously enlarged heart that was very soft, probably a miracle that she made it 7 months. I also noticed that she had more trouble in warmer weather. I hope that is not what is going on, but some things to look for, in case.

 

[Birdwatcher804]

Different birds mature at different rates even with the same parents.

Red is an indicator of the hormones. You should see your other girl red up as she gets closer to laying. Some of my same breed girls lay more than a month apart. Completely normal.

Pretty girls!

And congrats on your first eggs!

Thank you! They are sweethearts. I am a little concerned, but hopefully she will catch up quickly.

 

[Birdwatcher804]

Hopefully she is just a little slower to mature, which happens, but I'm going to share the following just for info just in case.
It's possible that she has a heart problem. The darkening when she runs or gets agitated could indicate lack of oxygen, which suggests that her heart maybe isn't up to the task.
I recently lost one to heart failure at 7 months old. Same symptoms, pale and underdeveloped comb and wattles, she never laid, her comb and wattles would turn darker/bluish/purple under stress or activity. She stopped running at all, only walked slowly. She grew and feathered out normally, was a good weight, not fat, no other signs of illness at all. I did suspect that she had a heart problem, and could feel her heart racing and beating through her chest when holding her. I did necropsy her when she passed and she had an enormously enlarged heart that was very soft, probably a miracle that she made it 7 months. I also noticed that she had more trouble in warmer weather. I hope that is not what is going on, but some things to look for, in case.

I have been concerned about that very thing. I hope it's not the case, as well. After raising them from day-old chicks, I'm kind of attached to them now. I haven't noticed her having trouble in the warmer weather, so that's a plus. (Hope springs eternal.)

 

[coach723]

I hope not too! Time will tell, if that's the case there is really nothing you can do. Just keep an eye on her and hope for the best. Let's hope she's just a little later bloomer.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Thank you! They are sweethearts. I am a little concerned, but hopefully she will catch up quickly.

The flushing you describe with excitement is different than the blue that would appear from lack of oxygen or whatever might be an indicator with heart disease. I am also extra worried if I had a recent experience... My Marans are the opposite of most ladies, in that while most become beehive's upon entering broodiness, the Marans actually simmer down and are less mean... Anyways I had recently lost another girl to egg binding when a Marans went broody and made me think I needed to give her a bath and then proceed to violate to see if there was indeed an eggs stuck! But NOOO she was just broody. I HAD to give her chicks after that...

Just saying while it is a possibility, I don't think your girl has heart issues. I think it's completely normal. And I personally wouldn't have her on layer feed yet as the diminished protein and extra calcium are both draw backs for her. I would actually have them on an 18-22% protein feed and offer oyster shell in the side for the gal who is laying. Orpington are a dual purpose breed, much heavier than leghorns and such and will do better with slightly more protein than the 16% in layer... (one typo says 5-17% should say 15-17%). The higher protein also shows better hatch rates which to me says more nutritious eggs for my family.
http://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/186894.pdf

My second point, if you are feeding only 16% protein... be sure you aren't diminishing it farther by giving too much treats like corn, lettuce, or other low protein/nutrient snacks.

She doesn't look smaller/weaker to me, just less mature. Beautiful girls!

 

[Birdwatcher804]

Thank you for the information on the feed. I do feed them all (I have 9 total, different breeds. 5 of which are now laying) Purina Layena Pellets. They free range all day and the pellets are set out free choice and in the morning before I open their coop. I typically give them whole oats, and black oil sunflower seeds as treats. Sometimes they get fruits like blueberries (just because they are so funny going after them), apple pieces, strawberries, cucumber and pumpkin. I don't like to feed them left overs because I have end up picking up what they won't eat, so as not to attract other animals to the yard.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I don't like to feed them left overs because I have end up picking up what they won't eat, so as not to attract other animals to the yard.

I agree with the left over thing... except noting that all the treats you mention if left behind WILL attract rats. And rats are chicken predators and will eat a hen or chick alive.

 

[Birdwatcher804]

I agree with the left over thing... except noting that all the treats you mention if left behind WILL attract rats. And rats are chicken predators and will eat a hen or chick alive.

Most of their treats are given to them on my back deck. I discard any skins,etc that they leave. Im not a heavy treat feeder.