Shipped pullets have very pale legs and combs

[CluckInLuxury]

Welcome!

I myself don't recommend shipping grown chickens if possible. However, the legs may darken with age.

We never have, but I had a procedure in another state, and while being chicken babysat by a neighbor (and our dog being gone, key factor we didn't realize) 3 of our "pet" chickens were killed. Out remaining flock was a 9 week old and an adult that were very much not a complete family together. We got these two ladies for them and for my son's heart. It's not something that looked enjoyable to them nor was it in enjoyable on our pocketbook.

 

[aart]

Seriously if it's something for them to survive on during the trip why would they even make that a choice to say no on?

Good Question.

I'm sure they'll be alright.

 

[Ridgerunner]

I looked up the McMurray "Red Stars". They are kind of large but are supposedly based on commercial layers.

Pale combs are normal for pullets not yet laying. That's one way to tell that they may be getting close to laying, their combs turn really bright red. The only chickens that age that should have a bright red comb are the boys. That's one way to tell they are boys. Since they are red sex links what you show are not boys. Definitely girls. I don't see anything wrong with the combs on those pullets.

Leg color is controlled by genetics. Some breeds and crosses have white legs like that, Sussex for example. The photos at McMurray's website show yellow legs. I'm not sure what is going on. You can either call McMurray and ask or, better yet, send a photo by e-mail and ask. Since they are multi-generational crosses it's very possible some of them have white legs. It would be very interesting to see how McMurray explains it.

 

[CluckInLuxury]

Would you consider this normal for stressed pullets or does this look problematic? I gave them electrolytes this morning.

 

[SulkyBantam]

Could be worms or just stress keep an eye on it.

 

[aart]

Would you consider this normal for stressed pullets or does this look problematic?

I'd say that was a combo of a cecal poop and liquid/green chunks from not eating for a couple days...and drinking a lot when they arrived.
Give it a couple days before you start to worry.

 

[CluckInLuxury]

I looked up the McMurray "Red Stars". They are kind of large but are supposedly based on commercial layers.

Leg color is controlled by genetics. Some breeds and crosses have white legs like that, Sussex for example. The photos at McMurray's website show yellow legs. I'm not sure what is going on. You can either call McMurray and ask or, better yet, send a photo by e-mail and ask. Since they are multi-generational crosses it's very possible some of them have white legs. It would be very interesting to see how McMurray explains it.

I called and asked about leg color. She confirmed that they should have yellow legs, but her answer was just "there is some variance in leg color...maybe it'll change...". I don't know what I expected her to say, but with our yellow legged ladies, they were always yellow. These are clearly pink comb and legs. They are "15-22 weeks" so I don't see why the color would magically change to yellow.

These are some comments on the breed on their site:
" The Red Stars are a commercially bred strain of chicken developed over several generations. It is not two specific breeds that are used to create the Red Star. "
" They are not recommended for reproduction. This breed is a hybrid and will not retain the same characteristics in future generations. "

I'm just confused as to why, if I have the breed they describe, it wouldn't carry the characteristics they describe.

Is there anything I should do or just ?

 

[Ridgerunner]

I don't expect them to change color either. I doubt leg color was very high on your list when you got them. I'd just wait and see how they perform. The feathers look like they are supposed to. My guess is that the person that selects the breeders doesn't pay attention to leg color.

I'm not that impressed with that answer either. It did not answer the question.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Yeah those legs are going to stay that pale pinkish color, definitely not going to turn yellow (if they were a pale yellow, that'd be different). Some hatcheries are a little better at reproducing what they show in the photos, others pay little to no attention to details like color of the parent stock which in turn affects the offspring.

 

[CluckInLuxury]

I don't expect them to change color either. I doubt leg color was very high on your list when you got them. I'd just wait and see how they perform. The feathers look like they are supposed to. My guess is that the person that selects the breeders doesn't pay attention to leg color.

I'm not that impressed with that answer either. It did not answer the question.

Yeah I couldn't care less about leg color, I just hope the laying quality stayed true!