rooster combs with color variation

[backboneacres]

I have 6 barred rock roosters that are 12 weeks old... One has a big bright red comb and waddle and the others have varying degrees of smaller combs that are more pale, almost orange-ish. I'm wondering if this is normal based off the pecking order, or do I need to be more concerned? They are all acting/eating/drinking normal, gaining weight well, etc.i have never raised roosters before so just uncertain if this is the norm. None of my hens have combs yet.
Thanks for the help!!

 

[chooks4life]

I have 6 barred rock roosters that are 12 weeks old... One has a big bright red comb and waddle and the others have varying degrees of smaller combs that are more pale, almost orange-ish. I'm wondering if this is normal based off the pecking order, or do I need to be more concerned?

Doesn't necessarily make the most developed male your best potential breeder though. Males that hit puberty too soon tend to be a little stunted by it and I often don't find them to be great characters unlike slower developers. Depends what you want them for I guess.

Still, two people see the same colors very differently, so I may be unfairly judging your cockerel without having even seen him.

Your chooks sound normal, really, it's unusual to see a whole clutch of same-aged males equally developed. Same is true for pullets. You always get the quick developers and the varying degrees of slower developers. Same as with humans, really, or any other species.
Best wishes.

 

[backboneacres]

Okay, thanks for the information. That makes me feel a bit better! I will see if I can get a good pic of them today... they haven't been wanting to come out of the roost because there's 2 feet of snow on the ground =)

 

[chooks4life]

You're welcome. Definitely nothing out of the ordinary by the sounds of it.

Best wishes.