[lucylou]

hi there!

please does anyone know if the auracana hens' combs change colour or get bigger when they are readty to lay?  ive got one bantam hen that is huge and stopped growing ages ago but her comb isnt raised at all and is still very pale with no tinge of pink.  I dont actually know how old she is but she has all her adult feathers and knickerbockers!

thankyou in anticipatio of your answers.   lucylou

[mumsy]

Araucana hens should not have a comb as such & what little comb they do have does get redder but not as red as a hen with a big comb ( if you see what I mean!! )  As they are pure breeds they take a little longer to come into lay..prob around 27 weeks.

[archiesgems]

Hi Lucylou

The comb will get fatter and deep pink in colour when she is ready to lay. Some have no comb at all whereas others will have a very flat comb just visible between the parting on the head muff.

Araus should come into lay between 20 and 22 weeks if fed on a high quality feed with plenty of extra vitimins and calcium substitute.

feel the pelvic bone it should have seperated and if she is ready to lay you will beable to get two if not three fingers (depending on how big your fingers are) between the two bones