Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: zoggett on July 27, 2010, 17:46

Title: Combs and wattles
Post by: zoggett on July 27, 2010, 17:46
Hi there this is probably a very silly question :D
At what age do chickens get noticeable combs and wattles? I have only ever had mature hens before but I now have 2 young(12 and 16 weeks) so was just wondering.

Thanks
Deb
Title: Re: Combs and wattles
Post by: joyfull on July 27, 2010, 18:36
it depends on the breed of chicken - what breed do you have?
Title: Re: Combs and wattles
Post by: zoggett on July 27, 2010, 19:40
Bonnie is a black rock and clyde is a welsummer
Title: Re: Combs and wattles
Post by: hillfooter on July 27, 2010, 19:48
If either are cocks they should be showing it in their combs by now.  Usually you have a pretty good idea by 8 weeks.  Also at the sort of age yours are their tail feathers, stance and body shape, longer legs should be noticably cock like by now. 
HF
Title: Re: Combs and wattles
Post by: zoggett on July 27, 2010, 20:20
Hi I should of said they are both hens :D
Title: Re: Combs and wattles
Post by: joyfull on July 27, 2010, 22:08
my welsummers hatched in April and their combs are now large and going darker already. Are yours the large fowl version or the bantam?
As for the black rock mine laid her first egg when she was 24 weeks old so you may have to wait for her comb to grow a bit longer yet  :)
Title: Re: Combs and wattles
Post by: zoggett on July 28, 2010, 07:03
Hi joy my welsummer is not a bantam version. Do they get their combs before they lay their first eggs?
Title: Re: Combs and wattles
Post by: joyfull on July 28, 2010, 08:30
yes, they get larger and then change from pink to red before they lay  :)