This morning Alice's comb was big and red . I just looked at her and half of it looked almost white. What would cause that? She is big, fine, and seemingly very healthy.
Why do chickens get a pale comb??
She saw a ghost?
Usually their combs get pale if they arn't feeling well. But to turn white that fast (without seeing a ghost, lol porkpal) and only half of it....strange. Are her wattles still red? Does she hold her tail up? Is there any injury on her comb?
Oh that's why I said she seems very healthy. She's lively and energetic, and very sweet. She has not been injured. Her comb just changed color, like a neon sign. When Claire was trying to lay an egg the size of an ostrich, and it took her a day to do it, her comb became very pale. But Alice already laid today, and seems fine, so why would her comb change color? She still seems fine and healthy, but it was just a curiosity. She's got a very large comb, bigger than some roosters I've seen. Actually until she laid an egg, I thought she was a rooster.
Maybe she did see a ghost. Lol. ok we've solved the mystery.
Is it partially shriveled too? When my hens have been brooding a long time, their combs get very pale and shriveled.....but I don't know if the paleness and shriveling always go together....
If it is not shriveled, and it happened very suddenly....paint?
Maybe she wanted a different color comb and bleached it, lol Next thing you know she will add highlights to her feathers.
She's not broody. She's too young. I keep telling her about Rooster, but they are still little girls. They are only 8 months old. They've now run down the street, and my dh is worried about chicken thieves, so I have to go get them.
That's what she wanted. Streaks. Maybe she is a punk rocker. I should get her an earring.
My broodiest hen also has by far the smallest comb. Does broodiness interfere with comb developement?
I wouldn't think that broodiness effects comb development. If they shrivel and go pale during broodiness it may be because they don't eat a regular meal anymore. Our broodies will sit on a nest for days without ever getting up to eat or drink, which is normal, but may effect the looks of them.
I think you're right, you may have a punk rocker. You know how kids are, they go through many stages during the teen years (young chicken 8 mo old, lol) You just have to hope you taught her well and she grows out of it. :)
My Buff Orpington's are 8 months & i've got 2 of them that are broody. Both their combs went from dark red to pale pink. but then who knows.. mine might have seen a bear for all I know & scared the poo out of them. I think she should have nice bright pink highlighted streaks in her feathers. Nice punk rock look. :0)