New Layer with pale comb

[Leavingegypt]

This past week, two of my Production Reds started laying. One of them seems to have a paler comb than the other since laying began. She seems fine. Active, eating more and doing regular chickeny things. Does laying take that much out of a hen? When I first noticed it I mixed some "Sav-a-Chik" into some plain yogurt and gave it to all of my flock as a treat. This particular hen's comb seemed redder yesterday- she didn't lay an egg yesterday, but after laying today her comb once agin seems paler.
The flock is 20 weeks, free-range all day, coop at night.

 

[terryg]

Laying does take a lot out of a hen, but laying is what they're designed to do. She's fine. Do make sure that she's getting plenty of laying hen pellets and has free-choice oyster shell (more about feeding here: http://hencam.com/faq/what-to-feed-your-chickens/) The production reds lay daily and need the best nutrition you can give them. Free-ranging for greens and bugs, and good quality feed is just right. You are right that the first sign of illness is a subtle change of behavior, so it's great that you are observing her usual activity level, stance and "chickeny things"!

 

[Leavingegypt]

A very good article. Some things I am doing right, others need improvement. My chickens free-range all day, so they get lots of exercise and bugs to eat. They have a very dutiful rooster who finds things good for them. I'm a little bit of a bad momma when it comes to treats. Tortillas are their fav. Believe it or not they dislike mealworms. Yogurt is slurped down- need to do more of that- less carbs.

 

[JerseyGiantfolk]

Laying does take a lot out of a hen, but laying is what they're designed to do. She's fine. Do make sure that she's getting plenty of laying hen pellets and has free-choice oyster shell (more about feeding here: http://hencam.com/faq/what-to-feed-your-chickens/) The production reds lay daily and need the best nutrition you can give them. Free-ranging for greens and bugs, and good quality feed is just right. You are right that the first sign of illness is a subtle change of behavior, so it's great that you are observing her usual activity level, stance and "chickeny things"!

x2

They may sit down a lot by themselves. Just wait a few hours, and she'll have most likely laid her egg.

Since eggs take a lot of water out of the hen, she may be a little dehydrated after she has laid. Provide water- especially in this heat!