Pale Comb

[Hilltop Flock]

Two days ago I bought a rooster from Rural King. He’s supposed to be a 5-6 month old Barred Rock. I’ve never had a rooster or a sick chicken. Should his comb be more colorful at this point? He’s active, eating and drinking as I would expect. He’s currently quarantined from the other chickens.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

That chicken doesn’t look like a pure barred rock. And it appears to be female.
The comb doesn’t look concerning to me especially if it’s female.

 

[Lucy Brown]

Could you post a picture of the tail or the whole chicken? I seems as if the comb is too small to be a rooster.

 

[Artichoke Lover]

This is what a pure BR rooster should look like. They cheated you.

 

[Hilltop Flock]

That chicken doesn’t look like a pure barred rock. And it appears to be female.
The comb doesn’t look concerning to me especially if it’s femal

Yes, it does have some copper feathers—even some shades of green. Gonna do some research as to how to sex the bird.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Quarantine is always a good approach.
I have Mediterranean class roosters and have only had a handful of American class roosters but at this time of year, it may not be uncommon for their combs and wattles to pale due to the day length shrinking the gonads.

 

[Hilltop Flock]

Could you post a picture of the tail or the whole chicken? I seems as if the comb is too small to be a rooster.

 

[Lucy Brown]

oof I'm pretty sure it is a hen... sorry

 

[ChickenCanoe]

oof I'm pretty sure it is a hen... sorry

Then the color is definitely an issue with time of year and day length.
And likely not a pure BR.

 

[Hilltop Flock]

oof I'm pretty sure it is a hen... sorry

Oof is right. Is there a chance it’s a younger than I thought rooster?