Laying hens comb wilting

[deidreschultz]

i have 8 chickens about 22 weeks old. 4 are hens. 3 of the 4 are laying daily. the hens that are laying their combs are leaning over. i have them on layer, have oyster shell, acv in water, cayenne pepper and dc in the feed, and give them fresh veggies and fruit every day with a little yogurt. everyone else has nice erect combs. the rir roos have big combs and they stand straight up. the hens are red sex links. any ideas on why this is happening. i thought maybe they're like us and once you give birth everything kinda goes south. i posted this question on the illness and someone thought it could be worms. i've been doing the cayenne pepper for a long time, and that doesn't make sense to me cause it's just the layers. appreciate any thoughts and info. thanks

 

[joedie]

I have several different breeds that have this also. I just assumed it was because they are hatchery birds and not particularly quality birds?

 

[M To The Maxx]

I have a RIR and a BR like that but it is no problem. It is just the way they were born that way. Their combs are actually straightening up.

 

[deidreschultz]

thanks, i was hoping that it wasn't a health issue.

 

[Scott]

I raise cochin bantams and the hens dont have large combs. However, I know that when they go thru a laying cycle their combs begin to loose color as nutrients in their body are used up for egg production. It may be that the combs of these birds naturally fall over as they reach maturity or do so after they begin laying for a while. I am sure it is fine. Several breeds of chickens like leghorns, just naturally do that.