Paling Comb

[Heidi]

I have a 1 1/2 year old EE hen that comb isn't staying red. She's been acting a bit strange for 3 months now. She quit laying for about 2 months which is normal (molting). Then her comb got red and she started laying, but it pales throughout the day. One minute it will be bright red and then the next pale. This goes on all day. She's laying 2 eggs then takes a day off and this is normal for her. She also had some kind of a cold/resp. issue for 3 days, but that seems to have cleared up and that was 2 weeks ago before she started laying again. Do you think maybe this has to do w/ her comb changing colors all day long?

 

[arlee453]

I know they can control the amount of blood going into the their combs due to stress, heat or agression.

If she seems OK otherwise I'd not worry too much, but someone else may have more info for you.

 

[Wynette]

I was wondering about heat too, wondering if that's one of the ways they can keep themselves cool, by regulating how much bloodflow is going through the comb? Very interesting, indeed. I have to say, I haven't noticed that in any of mine, but then, mine have very small combs, and I'm obviously not as observant as you, Heidi!!

Hope she does okay - she's a sweet girl, and PRETTY, too!

 

[s6bee]

I was curious too. My hen ming ming is on the mend from something that ailed her. She was weak, lethargic, etc. She seems better now, but her combs are still quite pale in comparison to the others. Poo is getting back to normal and she's eating. I'm leaving on vacation Friday and I was really hoping she's show me she's 100%.