Why Do My Hens Look Different?

[Uncle Marc]

My flock of Barred Rocks are now 19 weeks old. We got them on the second day after they hatched.

In the last two weeks some of my hens started taking on a different look than the others. We identified the rooster quite a while ago. But these changes intrigue me.

Any idea why some look like this:



And others look like this?

 

[1muttsfan]

Pullets that are at point-of-lay develop bright red combs and wattles, some of your birds are probably closer to laying then others.

 

[donrae]

Large red combs are an indicator of sexual maturity and fertility. They will all look like the larger, redder one eventually. They just develop at different rates, just like humans.

 

[7L Farm]

Here's mine the day before some of them started to lay.

 

[Fred's Hens]

Yup, that's what happens when they mature.

 

[Candyman]

Hurray... Fresh eggs should be coming in soon....