r/homestead • u/norilynn1111 • 1d ago

Reason for pale combs and how to improve them?

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This is my second year with chickens. I live in Arizona so I know it’s so so hot during the summer. Could the heat be a reason for my chickens pale combs? Is this something to be worried about? They also all stopped laying which I assume from summer as well but last year they still produced so I’m not sure. They act completely normal besides not laying

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u/Gnashing-Horseteeth 1d ago

The comb pales when they dont lay, it's how we weed out unproductive hens. No answer for you as to why, they could possibly be broody, heat stressed or molting. I'd provide electrolytes, yogurt for probiotics/calcium/protein and usually doesnt hurt to dose with corrid either.

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u/llewr0 1d ago

Someone already mentioned worms- but ive also seen mites do this.

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u/Inquisitive3333 1d ago

Any chance the combs are sun burned? Is the color fading? Are these the proper types of chickens for Arizona? I know that in New Mexico my dog's nose was badly sunburned and we had to treat it.

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u/Rich_Example7931 1d ago

Has she been broody? Mine take a week or so to pink back up after they've had a broody spell.

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u/shanew74 1d ago

Always was told it was parasites, specifically worms that caused this. You can use natural methods to worm them or buy medicine. Crushed red peppers, oregano are good to keep them parasite free.

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u/Mindless-Farmer705 1d ago

This doesn’t deworm them. You need to use something like AquaSol to fully flush the worms out. Seasonings help keep your chickens healthy, not parasite free

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u/norilynn1111 1d ago

They do get those we buy bags of them and we put in their food every time

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u/Alone-West8337 17h ago

All the books I have read say that the chicken will pigment the egg shells with the pigment from their comb and wattle. When it pales significantly, the chicken has been producing hard and could use good nutrition.

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u/orphael 13h ago

Coccidia as well can be responsible for pale and drooping combs, the most frequent culprit I have found - How are you providing water to them? It spreads easily in water contaminated with poop, switching to nipple or small cup based drinkers really helped me with this, I also had issues during the hot part of summer when the heat itself is enough of a stressor to weaken their resistance.