Scaredyhen Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 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? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 They'll be paler if they aren't in lay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted December 8, 2015 Share Posted December 8, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scaredyhen Posted December 8, 2015 Author Share Posted December 8, 2015 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?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gavclojak Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mullethunter Posted December 9, 2015 Share Posted December 9, 2015 Don't want to sound smug Failing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scaredyhen Posted December 10, 2015 Author Share Posted December 10, 2015 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! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted December 10, 2015 Share Posted December 10, 2015 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
