Pale comb and plucking a few feathers

[tanya1]

Hi the image shows my Diggy with a pale comb and pale around her eyes and beak, I have mite and lice powdered her and put Verm X in their water, I clean both coops top to bottom weekly. Getting worried as nearly lost my speckles last year over mites, that's why I am always cleaning coops. Would be grateful for any helpful tips, thank you Tanya

 

[BantamLover21]

Is she laying? If not, she is probably molting. Molting hens often have pale combs because they aren't in full reproductive mode; they put their energy into feather production instead. You can help her through the molt by offering higher protein feeds, like gamebird or chick starter feed, or by supplementing with mealworms, wet cat food, etc. Some vitamins in her water couldn't hurt, either.

As long as she is acting normal otherwise, I wouldn't worry. It is good that you keep your chickens in such a clean environment and are always on the lookout for mites/lice.

 

[tanya1]

Hi, thank you for quick reply, she isn't laying and hasn't laid all winter, none of my bantams have been laying, but all seem to have red combs, I will put vits in water any suggestions?
My two silkies are laying daily though, they are quite young, they were hatched in July and one young bantam who hatch in May was laying in December but stopped in the cold spell we have just had.
Tanya

 

[tanya1]

Forgot to say she is acting normal, feeding rummaging around etc

 

[tanya1]

Hi

Looked up different vits to give Diggy and ordered some, have you ever tried cider vinegar?
I have only been keeping chickens since Aug 15 and still a lot to learn.
I hope it is just because she isn't laying, fingers crossed.
She was the last bantam to be laying last year and the other girls combs look paller in old photos, so maybe it's because their combs are getting redder ready to lay and Diggy is still resting, she was the best layer too.
Thanks for your help
Tanya