Pale waddles vs red

[tx_dane_mom]

Hey guys,
I know I have read somewhere (but can't currently find it) that evidentally it's bad for my hen's waddles to be pale pink, and they should be bright red. Well, they are about 9 mnths old & have yet to lay. (My hens I have HAD) I got some new-to-me hens that layed the 1st day after I brought them home and then started molting, but those have bright red waddles.
So...is this pale pink (only present on golden colored hens) normal, or do I need to do something? And did everyone quit laying b/c I am doing something wrong...or it just b/c of the moult/stress of moving to a new place? Tonight is the 4th night they have a light out there (a red heat bulb) where as previously they didn't have a light.
My hens have all been wormed this summer and are frequently checked for mites.
Thanks for your help.
Kristi

 

[DuckLady]

Mine have very red combs when they are laying and the combs pale when they are not, like during a miolt or hot weather.
Mites can cause it as well, since they suck blood.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

So, the fact that my 4 hens I have had (9 mnths) have never laid....is that NORMAL? (Pale)
The ones that did lay came from the auction barn and are obviously a bit older, but not 'old.' (Not Pale)
How often is safe to worm? I bought some wormer, but I have been told by several people just to use bleach rather than a commercial wormer....opinions???
Kristi

 

[peepkeeper]

If you just got them it's normal to not lay until they calm down and get used to their new home. Some don't take a break, some need a week or two to adjust. The pale wattles are a little worrisome. Pick one up. Does it feel heavy and sturdy or light? You can't tell weight loss by looking with chickens. I would give some food grade DE in the feed and see if that helps, and supplement their feed with veggies and oyster shells. If they don't free range I would consider it at least for the last 2 hours of daylight, the buggies and things they find are good for their diet.

 

[tx_dane_mom]

The batch with the red waddles is new, the pale ones are my original ones I've had since they were 1 mnth. I have a holistic wormer from the Holistic Horse I got for my dogs....it has DE in it...maybe that'd help. They do graze almost daily (unless time is pressing) for about an hour. But they have a 10x20 yard they are in anyhow. It's normally in the a.m. though when the go out (between 9 and 11 or so.)
They do get oyster shell abour once a week.
Thanks,
Kristi