Large Comb and wattles on my RIR hens

[jeapa]

I got my RIR chicks from Meyer's so I know they are productions reds. I think they are beautiful and my hens have really big combs and wattles. Take a look.... Do you think they are large for hens?

 

[aoxa]

The wattles are really big for hens, but they are hens for sure, so no big deal.

There really isn't a norm for breeds that have been mixed. Production reds have some leghorn blood if I remember correctly, therefore their combs tend to be quite large.

 

[aoxa]

By the way, what are you feeding them? Their feathers are immaculate!

 

[fishnet1971]

X2!!!!! I want my girls feathers to look that nice.

 

[jeapa]

Thanks for the nice comments. Go check out the thread on fermenting feed in the meat birds forum. Thanks go to Beekissed for posting the information and getting many people started on this with their chickens. I started feeding my girls fermented feed when they were 11-13 weeks old and I think it has made a difference. I still offer them some dry layers mash mixed with some BOSS and whole grains, but there main meal is the layers mash, whole grains, seeds, BOSS fermented for 24 hrs. My girls also get to free range in my yard for about 3-4 hrs each day.

 

[theoldchick]

Wow! They are pretty! Many high production breeds have large comb and wattles.

 

[peepacheep]

Thank-you for the fermented feed info, will check it out. 2x Wow! Beautiful!

 

[thejohnsie]

My hatchery reds have large combs and waddles just like them. They could be twins. Beautiful birds!

 

[aoxa]

Thanks for the nice comments. Go check out the thread on fermenting feed in the meat birds forum. Thanks go to Beekissed for posting the information and getting many people started on this with their chickens. I started feeding my girls fermented feed when they were 11-13 weeks old and I think it has made a difference. I still offer them some dry layers mash mixed with some BOSS and whole grains, but there main meal is the layers mash, whole grains, seeds, BOSS fermented for 24 hrs. My girls also get to free range in my yard for about 3-4 hrs each day.

All of mine free range 12 hours a day, but I have considered fermenting. Maybe seeing the images here will get me into putting in some extra time to prepare their feed. My RIR is shiny, but not like this!

By the way, she has a little smaller comb/wattles than she should - as she is finishing up her molt. Though this is what a RIR should look like according to the standards. The feathers should be a deep mahogany colour

 

[jeapa]

All of mine free range 12 hours a day, but I have considered fermenting. Maybe seeing the images here will get me into putting in some extra time to prepare their feed. My RIR is shiny, but not like this!

By the way, she has a little smaller comb/wattles than she should - as she is finishing up her molt. Though this is what a RIR should look like according to the standards. The feathers should be a deep mahogany colour

That really is a dark red. I think she is beautiful also, but I prefer the more golden red color of the production reds. If I ever get a chance to move and buy some acreage I would like to own some heritage breeds. It didn't makes sense to me now since I can't own a rooster so no breeding. It really doesn't take much time to ferment the feed once you have a system down. I only have 8 birds though so for me everything takes less time.