Pale comb

[macpee2]

Hi

One of my girls has a very pale comb while the other 4 are a nice red. She is eating and drinking but not really bothered with her treats, do you think she is ill. Ive seen these pale combs when they have been broody but she is not and I believe she is the only one not laying at the moment.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

How old are they and where are you?

A hen not actively laying will have a pale comb.

 

[macpee2]

She is about 3 now and Im not sure if it is this one that is not laying, I am in Chester, England

 

[Eggcessive]

Could she be molting?

 

[ProdigyMCluckin]

I've had this happen to my hen Daisy when she was in her first broody state, it never went away for some reason an along with it were pale legs and messy feathers. The way I fixed her up though was I took her into the shower an completey washed her up with water conditioner and shampoo. It was a day later that she returned to normal with a brand new healthy look.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

She is about 3 now and Im not sure if it is this one that is not laying, I am in Chester, England

All things being well, she should perk up again when days get longer.

 

[cblakley0531]

How old are they and where are you?

A hen not actively laying will have a pale comb.

I'm really glad I saw this, my aussies have pale combs and are about ten weeks old so this would explain why they have pale ones ;-)

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Yes at ten weeks they'll be pale. They'll grow and brighten as they reach sexual maturity.

 

[Wishapup]

I've had the same experience. My bantam x pullet was healthy and laying well, then went broody for a long time (failed due to interference by other hens) in the spring. Her comb became pale and hasn't returned to its former colour since...she's not laying either.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

@Wishapup When they aren't laying, due to molt, broodiness, disease, etc. their combs will be pale. Make sure you're not feeding layer feed (4% calcium) to birds that aren't actively making egg shells for any length of time.