Leghorn chicken Comb Question....

[jgcalifornia]

We rescued 2 Leghorn hens about 2 months ago that came from living in battery cages.
Lately I've noticed both of their combs have gotten increasingly smaller. They have since gotten healthy and eating the best they ever have.
I just want to make sure this is either normal, or expected, or ok.
Any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I wouldn't worry, they look good to me.
Do they think they died and went to heaven?
Have they returned to laying?

 

[jgcalifornia]

Thanks for your reply.
Haha...Most of the time it looks like they are in a constant state of wonder ..This was their first time ever seeing/feeling grass, dirt, flowers, plants..pretty much everything that doesn't exist in a prison..

They have not.
I believe that is why they, along with approx 500 other Leghorn's were rescued from this factory farm. They gave the rescue group 5 days to pick all of them up or....you know...

I noticed by current pic didn't upload. The pic in the post is from about a month ago.
I will post a pic of what they and their combs look like today.

 

[donrae]

Since the commercial place was aging them out, I'm guessing they're at the 18 month mark and getting ready to molt. When a hen molts, she's not sexually receptive and it's normal for her comb to get smaller and pale, indicating her lack of fertility to the roosters. They'll plump back up in the spring when they're ready to lay again.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Since the commercial place was aging them out, I'm guessing they're at the 18 month mark and getting ready to molt. When a hen molts, she's not sexually receptive and it's normal for her comb to get smaller and pale, indicating her lack of fertility to the roosters. They'll plump back up in the spring when they're ready to lay again.

X2
good points