Wanted - Eglu Cube Mk1 Roosting Bars

[Scaredyhen]

Hi All,

 

This is my first winter with the girls. They all seem very well, eating, drinking normally etc. They are less active than they were in the summer, coming out to free range but huddling together a lot next to our french doors. Thats not to say they aren't roaming too but it is less than usual. I'm worried they all look a little pale. Not pale pale, but definitely not red - more of a deep pink. No evidence of mites, they were wormed in September. I've just bought some poultry spice to add to their feed. Am I missing something or is it normal for them to be a little paler in the winter?

[Luvachicken]

Pretty certain this is normal Winter behaviour

All of mine are looking quite pale too.

They will redden up again in the Spring - just to let you know eggies are on the way

 

I would still keep an eye on them every day just to make sure though and then you can spot anything untoward.

[mullethunter]

They'll be paler if they aren't in lay

[sjp]

if the aren't laying then yes it's normally the reddening shows the boys that they are laying and ready to breed through that said a lot of my girls have red head gear but aren't laying which is winding up my cockerels something rotten as they are trying it with the girls who just turn around and 'belt' them verbally and physically

[Scaredyhen]

Oh good, thanks everyone. That puts my mind at rest. No they're taking the winter off so back to supermarket eggs for us - don't quite cut the mustard do they?!

[gavclojak]

Don't want to sound smug by in still getting several eggs every day:) I wouldn't mind if they never laid agin but having ex commercial girls is a blessing and a curse

[mullethunter]

Don't want to sound smug

 

Failing

[Scaredyhen]

Don't want to sound smug by in still getting several eggs every day:) I wouldn't mind if they never laid agin but having ex commercial girls is a blessing and a curse

 

 

Smuggy McSmuggington!

[The Dogmother]

it's partly due to hens going off-lay in the winter, as SJP has said, but also because their comb acts as a heat sink to cool them down in warmer weather, so it carries less blood in colder times.