Olive egger comb

[L8eybugzz]

Hey everyone!
We have a little urban flock of 4. One of our pullets is supposed to be an olive egger. We can not find too much information on them as everything we seem to search comes up as an easter egger. She is about 18 weeks old.
We think her comb might look a little pale but it is hard to tell as we have nothing to compare her to. Our orpington and speckled sussex have red faces and our maran is still a pink colour. We have given them DE but am looking for opinions. She is smaller than the rest but is low on the pecking order. Again, we do not have another olive egger to compare her to.
Thoughts?

she is behind the orpington in this one

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Olive eggers are a mixed breed so they are all different looking depending on the breeds in the mix.

The comb is a visual cue as far as sexual maturity and whether a bird is in breeding condition. A bright red comb on a pullet means it's sexually maturing and getting ready to lay eggs. It allows a rooster to tell by sight who to mate.

Your girl hasn't fully matured yet. Your Orpington isn't pure either. She's mixed as well.

 

[L8eybugzz]

we know our Orpington is mixed. We have no idea with what but we love her anyway. She was on a farm with orpingtons and chanteclers so we are assuming maybe a mix of those.
We know the red comb shows maturity, we just think it may be more pale than normal and want to make sure she is not sick. She acts normal but she is smaller and the comb possibly looks pale. Hard to tell.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Olive eggers are a mixed breed so they are all different looking depending on the breeds in the mix.

The comb is a visual cue as far as sexual maturity and whether a bird is in breeding condition. A bright red comb on a pullet means it's sexually maturing and getting ready to lay eggs. It allows a rooster to tell by sight who to mate.

Your girl hasn't fully matured yet. Your Orpington isn't pure either. She's mixed as well.

X2

We know the red comb shows maturity, we just think it may be more pale than normal and want to make sure she is not sick. She acts normal but she is smaller and the comb possibly looks pale. Hard to tell.

The comb looks normal to me. If she is active/eating/drinking then you can't ask for more. Each bird, even within it's own "breed" or even within the same hatch can mature and grow at a different rate. Give her some time

 

[L8eybugzz]

X2


The comb looks normal to me. If she is active/eating/drinking then you can't ask for more. Each bird, even within it's own "breed" or even within the same hatch can mature and grow at a different rate. Give her some time

Thanks!!!!

I just found our very first egg this morning!!!!! Likely from our Orpington! I'm over the moon!!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks!!!!

I just found our very first egg this morning!!!!! Likely from our Orpington! I'm over the moon!!!View attachment 1519664

Congratulations

If I had to guess, I think you are right about that being from your Orpington

Beautiful egg!

 

[L8eybugzz]

X2


The comb looks normal to me. If she is active/eating/drinking then you can't ask for more. Each bird, even within it's own "breed" or even within the same hatch can mature and grow at a different rate. Give her some time

Her tail feathers look off also. I'm not sure if in just being paranoid.
Maybe the others are bored and picking on her?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

What are you feeding?

Do you notice if any of the others are picking at her? Observe them during roosting time, sometimes that's when you will see feather picking.
Does she preen and take dust baths?
I would also check her for lice/mites.

She may be low in pecking order as well, but if birds are bored, then feather picking can sometimes occur. Having enough space in the run and coop helps.

Treats are a way to keep them occupied, but try to limit those to no more than 5-10% of daily intake depending on the protein content of your feed. If you notice aggression at feed station, add another one. Hang up kale, cabbage, apple or broccoli for them to pick at. Rake up some leaves or pine needles and dump those in the run for them to dig through-this will help keep them busy too.

 

[L8eybugzz]

What are you feeding?

Do you notice if any of the others are picking at her? Observe them during roosting time, sometimes that's when you will see feather picking.
Does she preen and take dust baths?
I would also check her for lice/mites.

She may be low in pecking order as well, but if birds are bored, then feather picking can sometimes occur. Having enough space in the run and coop helps.

Treats are a way to keep them occupied, but try to limit those to no more than 5-10% of daily intake depending on the protein content of your feed. If you notice aggression at feed station, add another one. Hang up kale, cabbage, apple or broccoli for them to pick at. Rake up some leaves or pine needles and dump those in the run for them to dig through-this will help keep them busy too.

We are feeding them grower feed. She is bottom of the pecking order.
We checked hee for mites and did not see anything. We put DE on her just in case.
They have a large coop and run for 4 chickens. They get let into the yard daily. We have noticed then orpingtpn who is the highest in the pecking order pulls at her feathers. I never thought about around the food until you said that. She did it at the new feeder today. We made 2 New feeders for them today. I will keep my eye out and if we need to add more we will.
We lay chopped straw down in their run ans they love digging and scratching though it. Mayne I will add fresh stuff in the morning and see if that helps.
We can fix bordom. I just want to make sure she is not sick. We have has then since they were only a couple days old so would hate to see anything happen to them.
Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

[L8eybugzz]

so, she is missing quite a few tail feathers.
We have checked hee for mites and fleas, put DE all over her, given them things to scratch at, hung treats to keep them busy.
I believe our top chicken may be pulling at her feathers. I have seen her do it quickly a few times and she moves out of the way. I have not seen her physically pull them out but believe this is what may be happening.
Suggestions on what to do. I really do not want her getting sick. The weather is getting cooler and i am afraid she will get cold too.
I have read to separate the bully. How would i go about doing that without causing huge stress for all of them.
Thoughts? Ideas?