Redness of comb/wattle= laying or not?

[rubyrogue]

So i was told that good layers will have a bright red comb/wattle and hens that are not currently laying or are not good layers will have a dull comb/wattle. Does this hold true?

 

[eenie114]

Well, i don't know about that, but for me, 'skinny' ones are the best layers because they put all the energy they produce into laying.

 

[TheReidHomestead]

Yes, that is true. Another thing to look for is the order of bleaching in yellow skinned birds.

"With yellow-skinned hens, such as leghorns, loss
of pigment from their skin is an important characteristic
for determining the persistency of lay. As a
pullet grows, yellow pigment is deposited in the
skin, beak, shanks and feet. Once the pullet starts
laying eggs, the pigment is then removed from the
pigmented areas to provide the yellow color in
eggs.
The pigment bleaches in a definite order - from the
vent, eye ring, ear lobe, beak (corner of the mouth
toward the tip), bottom of the foot, the shank (front,
back and sides) and finally the hock and top of toes
(see Figure 2 for the parts of the hen)."

http://www.ca.uky.edu/smallflocks/Factsheets/Evaluating_egg_laying_hens.pdf

Tamara

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

yes, and no. i've got a great laver the looks tough, pale wattle, skinny. one of the better way's to check for laying is check the bones above the butt, place up to 3 fingers between the bones laying your fingers on the outside of the bird. one finger non-layer, 2 fingers OK layer, 3 fingers great layer

 

[rubyrogue]

Quote:
K i am trying to visualize but its not happening. anyone have a picture?

 

[Buck Creek Chickens]

look at your chickens butt, pick up the tail find the vent, above the vent on either side you will feel/see 2 bones, place you fingers between the bones, (on the outside) had someone try to place their finger in the bird. I have to get some pic's

1 not laying
2 OK laying
3 great layer

also when you look at the birds vent,
if it looks tight and small not laying,
loose and large and wet, laying well

 

[rubyrogue]

Thank you I will have to try that when they go to bed tonight.