Pale combs

[Rick&Chris]

Some of my girls look pale, and others are brighter red. They are all 4 months old, so I’m thinking they aren’t mature yet ... not sure. Thoughts? Pics are bad, they NEVER hold still for a decent photo! Stinkers!

 

[DobieLover]

The girls that are redder are coming into point of lay. The others are slower maturing.
They all look great.

 

[birdfreak1831]

That`s what I wanted to ask about myself : pale combs.
I read that combs and wattles are always supposed to be bright red and that pale pink ones are a sign of illness.
I have two chickens with year round red combs and three whose red combs turn pale during winter [and dark again in spring].
The pale comb birds are healthy and acting normal, same as the other two.

What do you think?

 

[Rick&Chris]

That`s what I wanted to ask about myself : pale combs.
I read that combs and wattles are always supposed to be bright red and that pale pink ones are a sign of illness.
I have two chickens with year round red combs and three whose red combs turn pale during winter [and dark again in spring].
The pale comb birds are healthy and acting normal, same as the other two.

What do you think?

Mine are young - so that seems to be the reason. My almost mature girls are still red. How old are your hens?

 

[sourland]

Comb and wattle color and size increase when hormone levels are higher. With most birds that occurs in conjunction with longer photoperiod.

 

[birdfreak1831]

Mine are young - so that seems to be the reason. My almost mature girls are still red. How old are your hens?

Two with the pale winter combs are two years old, the third one is seven years old. All of those three have very light colored plumage - I suspect that is coincidence [has nothing to do with the comb color], same is probably true for age [has nothing to do with it either].

 

[Mrs. K]

I think some birds are more heavily affected by the shortened days. Long periods of dark, laying falls way back, as the days start getting longer, more will redden up and start laying again.

A pink comb, is a non-laying hen at that period of time, a dark red comb, and she should be laying well. A comb that fluctuates daily, from red to pink to blue, that can be poor circulation or heart problems, and will not probably be alive much longer.

Mrs K

 

[birdfreak1831]

Comb and wattle color and size increase when hormone levels are higher. With most birds that occurs in conjunction with longer photoperiod.

The influence of hormone levels by daylight hours is an interesting angle, seems logical.
Interesting though that in light of that fact my birds are responding differently, as indicated by the comb color [?]
You did qualify your response ["with most birds"]
Whatever....
They are well, peaceful and content. That`s what matters.

 

[birdfreak1831]

I think some birds are more heavily affected by the shortened days. Long periods of dark, laying falls way back, as the days start getting longer, more will redden up and start laying again.

A pink comb, is a non-laying hen at that period of time, a dark red comb, and she should be laying well. A comb that fluctuates daily, from red to pink to blue, that can be poor circulation or heart problems, and will not probably be alive much longer.

Mrs K

Thanks for your response too, Mrs. K
My chickens are really independent minded, they don`t very often follow certain expected behaviors. I`ve read and researched myself silly in my quest for more knowledge. It is wisdom I really need.
My old hens [seven years] lay eggs in spring and summer.
My young ones [two years], with pale combs since last October, lay into the end of the year, then they quit for the rest of winter, I hope. One of these young ones is molting now, in the dead of winter. What is she thinking?
I am thinking there are lots of variables. It helps to get different considerations, especially those I haven`t thought of yet myself.