WHY? Three of 4 sitting hen's faces look like they are turning yellow!

[MotherhenXOXO]

I don't know what is going on but on top of having a sick hen 3 of my hen's faces look like they are turning yellow. They have been sitting on their eggs and still are. When they get up they eat,drink,scratch, and fuss just fine. Any ideas what this can be?

 

[Ol Grey Mare]

I don't know what is going on but on top of having a sick hen 3 of my hen's faces look like they are turning yellow. They have been sitting on their eggs and still are. When they get up they eat,drink,scratch, and fuss just fine. Any ideas what this can be?

A broody hen will lose the color and condition in her comb/wattles/face - the hormones involved with production is what drives the high color/good condition of those parts, so when she is not in production (due to broodiness) the hormone levels drop and the condition does too. Just to be safe you can check for signs of external parasites (they can become an issue with a sitting hen).

 

[MotherhenXOXO]

A broody hen will lose the color and condition in her comb/wattles/face - the hormones involved with production is what drives the high color/good condition of those parts, so when she is not in production (due to broodiness) the hormone levels drop and the condition does too. Just to be safe you can check for signs of external parasites (they can become an issue with a sitting hen).

I actually just had a parasite infestation that has been taken care of.... at least I hope! I've had these hen for years and have never seen this discoloration before. I have another hen right now whom no one knows what is wrong with her. She gasps for air when she sleeps at night and when she is held.Thoughts are that she is anemic from the parasites but this has been going on since the beginning of January.This breathing problem started out as the only symptom but turned into lethargy and not eating well. Wonder if the yellow faces and what our other sick hen is suffering from is related.Thank you for the reply

We just added scratch grain to their diet about a month ago, could the corn cause the yellow in their faces?