My hen's face changes color

[TheSpiceGirls]

Quote:
I really think she's showing what emotion she's feeling. Yours might be sad being away from other hens. I'm curious if you go interact w/ her and maybe hand feed her mealworms or something really tasty if she doesn't change color.

I freaked when I first noticed it cuz I thought she was ill or something. But this has been going on for several months now so I'm getting used to it.

 

[stargirl]

It's my favourite who does it too! Maybe we're just looking more closely at these girls

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

Quote:
Actually, that's a really good point. The other two won't let me hold them and don't want to get too close. So my BO is the one who gets the most attention and since she's sitting right in my lap, I do get the best look at her.

 

[galanie]

I sort of equate the bright red with either happy or excited. I figure it's like my cockatiel's cere (nostrils) and feet. When they are really red looking she is happy, like when I'm giving her a neck scratch or letting her eat with me, but when she's dozing or just messing around, they are lighter colored.

 

[Grand-hen-ma]

I see some of my girls doing the very same thing. I have read that this is either from the heat or stress. I'm not so sure it has anything to do with the lack of water. I keep plenty of clean, fresh water all the time.

 

[sheaviance1]

Yes, mine (all of mine) do this too, when they are hot or excited.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

She did it again last night. I let them out to free range and after an hour called them back to their run. Her face was bright red.

I picked her up and sat down with her in my lap. She totally relaxed while I was stroking her and made soft cooing noises. She could have hopped off my lap at any time. But she stayed and her face got lighter and lighter till it was just the lightest shade of pink. She even started to close her eyes. I was sorry I didn't have my camera with me.

She reddened up as soon as I put her down.

 

[poseygrace]

Wow, I never thought to look for changing color! COOL! I am going to start observing their comb color more. Thanks for sharing!

 

[SimmonsFlock]

I am new to raising chickens, so I came here looking for answers. My buff orpington does this too! It is definitely stress related (not heat related). I only see it in my BO, and I also have Rhode Island Reds and Easter Eggers. It is interesting that she is the only one.

 

[TheSpiceGirls]

I am new to raising chickens, so I came here looking for answers. My buff orpington does this too! It is definitely stress related (not heat related). I only see it in my BO, and I also have Rhode Island Reds and Easter Eggers. It is interesting that she is the only one.

Now that I've had BO's for nearly 5 years, it's totally normal. They really do wear their feelings right on their faces.

I have one BO, her face can be bright red. I'll pick her up and hold her in my lap and stroke her feathers and her face turns nearly white. Put her down on the ground and pop, it's back to bright red again.

And it's easy to tell when they don't feel well, because they will go pale too.