Rhode Island Red Comb and Wattles

[RooChick]

Hi everyone,

Just wondering how long it will take before my Rhode Island Red will grow her comb and wattles ?

I bought her when she was 12 weeks old and now she is 20 weeks old and they haven't changed at all.
Her tiny little comb is still very pale pink and there are no signs of wattles growing and no eggs.

I bought a Light Sussex at the same time as my Rhode Island Red and she was 16 weeks old.
Back then she also had a pale pink comb and the tiniest wattles, but now she is 24 weeks old and she has huge, red wattles and comb. She is also laying eggs.

Thanks !

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

Different birds will mature at different rates. Are you certain the RIR is a RIR (you can post a photo here) - often misidentification of breed is at play when development differs from what is expected? Are you certain the bird was 12 weeks at purchase? Do you have any photos of her when you first got her that we can see to help you confirm her reported age? Is this bird from exhibition lines or production lines?

 

[RooChick]

I'm no expert on identifying certain chicken breeds. That is what I was told when I bought her from a place called City Chicks.
And I certainly can't identify a chickens age by looking at it

But here are some photos of my Millie:

12 weeks old


12 weeks old





And now 20 weeks old

 

[RooChick]

Anyone know if she's a Rhode Island Red, her age or why she isn't showing any signs of a comb or wattles yet ?

 

[donrae]

Probably the same reason some 16 year old girls don't have much breasts yet. Some individuals simply develop slower. I don't think there's anything you can do about it. She'll mature on her own. Or, if there's really some ongoing issue and she's not laying by 7 months, I'd cull her.

 

[RooChick]

Yeah, I was wondering if there was something else wrong.
She's eating fine, putting on weight and acts like all the other chickens. I just thought it was strange that she looks exactly the same as she was.

I'll keep waiting !

 

[RooChick]

Oh and if she doesn't lay eggs, I will just keep her as a pet. I could never cull my Millie

 

[RooChick]

So Millie is now 10 months old and her comb and wattles are coming through !! Here is a picture of her. She also weighs 2.7kg / 6 pounds now !
Not laying eggs yet, but maybe soon !

 

[RooChick]

Update ! Millicent laid her first egg last Thursday !

She's all grown up

 

[Estelleannette]

Anyone know if she's a Rhode Island Red, her age or why she isn't showing any signs of a comb or wattles yet ?

Looks like a red to me. Beautiful.