RIR -area around eyes turn red sometimes

[kc&jsmom]

Hi There, I have a couple RIReds that are about 3 months old. The area around their eyes turns red sometimes and then it will turn back to the normal shade of orange-ish. Does anyone one know why this happens? Are they scared, mad, hot? I just can't figure it out!!!!

Thanks!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Mine does that too. She got redder when she got closer to laying, but I have seen it fade to pale.

I don't remember the reason (mood change I think) but I know it's normal.

 

[tcwk]

Here is your explanation

http://www.extension.umn.edu/distribution/livestocksystems/DI1182.html

 

[carebear]

I read that their skin pigment deepens and that is the color that goes into the yoke, and eventually their skin turns pale as the pigment is transferred to the yoke.

 

[Happy Chooks]

Quote:
Wow, lots of great info.............thanks!

 

[kc&jsmom]

I seriously thought I was going crazy! My two hens look so alike but one always had (i thought) red around its eyes and the other yellow. To help the kids tell them a part we painted the toenails on one of them(my daughters idea: ) ) and I will be darned if the yellowed eyed one wasn't sometimes red and the red one sometimes yellow. You can actually watch the change, it happens over a matter of seconds. It comes and goes and comes and goes.

 

[GreenGoddess]

Well, if pigmentation has that much to do with production then, my rooster is gonna give me some gooooooood eggs...

Actually, pigmentation does have something to do with egg laying but I beliee what you are talking about has everything to do with moods.. I've noticed that when my rooster is "on alert", his comb, face and waddles are all very bright red... But, if I pick him up or start talking to him, the color will go pale.. When i walk away or something distracts him, they go back to bright red again... Who needs mood rings anymore when we have chickens...

Goddess