Pale combs & pale eggs ?????

[Admin]

Got a question for yee chicken experts.

The combs are turning pale pink on some of my birds and the eggs are pale as well. They are a year old now. Are they preparing to molt? or is there something I should be concerned with?

[mrchicken]

Look up "comb bleaching" in reference to chickens.

Its not uncommon for birds to loose their color in their feet, combs, and finally feathers during the winter. Cant remember what the deficiency is but it has to do with forage.

A supplement of some kind is recommended. Sorry I dont remember what exactly it was and all our farming books are packed away from the move.

[patricimo54]

I haven't noticed what you are experiencing before my girls started the molt cycle

[trapperbud]

JC when a chicken lays eggs it draws nutrients from their bodies . Their combs , wattles and feet will fade in color the longer they lay . Once they molt their color should return to normal . You can give them crushed oyster shells to help . I also give mine a scoop of dry cat food once a week to give them extra protein . Chickens usually molt in the fall and winter when the days are short but they can molt anytime of they year .

If they are still laying good and act happy and healthy other than the fading in color it's more than likely nothing to worry about but I would still keep them watched .

[Admin]

Thanks buddy. Haven't seen you on here in a while.

I noticed it because one of the birds was staying in the coop while the others were outside and she was acting kinda lathargic. Her comb was pale pink. Yesterday she seemed ok but her comb is still light and i noticed a few of the others were getting pink combs too. I'll keep an eye on them and see if anything strange occurs.