pale comb

[Mimi]

One of my 4 mo. old Australorps has a very pale, underdevolped comb, compared to the others of the same age. Her feahers are great, she is active and eats well. Healthy other than the pale comb.

Also: How much food grade de to put in the hen yard? I am new to the use of de.

Thanks and hope all are well.

 

[miss_jayne]

if she's healthy, she may just be a late bloomer. keep checking for anything hokey or signs of illness. if nothing shows, she's probably going to just be the slowpoke of the group.

 

[dixiechick]

I've had hens with poor coloring...could just be that too. I tend to treat my chickens like my kids.....I only worry when they "act" sick. Keep a close eye on her.

 

[dixiechick]

answering your 2nd question, I use a gallon size hanging feeder for mine...and check it everyday.

 

[Mimi]

Thanks for the info. It makes me feel better. She and her sister are both sort of small but have grown a lot recently. They are also skitterish.

I'll keep an eye on them. thanks again

 

[RavenStorm]

In my group of RIRs the smallest chicken, who is also the bottom of the pecking order, never developed a large comb and compared to the others it was always very pale. But she gets plenty of feed, water, exercise, sunlight, etc. and she was actually the first girl to start laying and then to lay every day. Unless she acts listless or sick don't fret about her.