Hot weather affecting combs?

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Casey76

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Hot weather affecting combs?
« on: August 20, 2009, 09:26 »
I have two questions regarding combs...

1) Does hot weather affect the turgidity of the comb?  It has been very hot here recently (upto 35C in the sun, and 30C in the shade) and a couple of the girls combs are slightly more flaccid than usual.

They have plenty of water to drink and layers pellets available all day.  They have plenty of trees and bushes to hide under during the hottest times

All the poos I can find look normal.  Not overly watery with no blood, foam or mucous.

There are currently 5 of 8 hens in lay, 2 pullets which were POL in March, and 6 pullets which will be 18 weeks old at the weekend (at least 3 of which are already laying).

2) Do some breeds/hybrids have a comb which naturally lies flat (i.e. flopped over).  One of my birds, Ginger, her comb is lying flat on her head.  It seemed to get to a certain size then just flopped over.  I have no idea what kind of hybrid Ginger is

This is her, a few weeks ago - still with a baby comb



In all other ways she is happy and perky

Thanks for any help :)

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Flowerpower136

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #1 on: August 20, 2009, 10:11 »
I was told that the combs were for temperature control.  So my ex-batts in their battery cages would have had a fairly warm atmosphere, hence their combs, when they arrived were generally large, pale and floppy.

They've been here now just over a fortnight, and whilst the colour is definately improving, they are still all shapes and sizes!  Some firm and upright, some laying flat, some even a bit frilly looking!

So, yes there is a link between temperature and size of combs, but I think as long as they are a nice healthy colour, probably size isn't too much of an issue...........now where have I heard that before :blush:.

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iwantanallotment

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #2 on: August 20, 2009, 10:13 »
 :lol:

Don't know about how the heat affects them casey, but do know that some breeds/hybrids should have a floppy comb  ;)

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Aunt Sally

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2009, 10:37 »
The ideal temperature for chickens is about 24oC so 35 is very hot for them !

Emily said are you saying she looks odd :lol: :lol:


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Flowerpower136

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2009, 10:41 »
That's known as a 'comb over'!
She's just hiding her bald spot.

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iwantanallotment

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #5 on: August 20, 2009, 10:50 »
 :lol: :lol: :lol:

wow, good job she has another eye! Bless  :)

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Casey76

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #6 on: August 20, 2009, 10:59 »
Aww, Emily, I'd never say you look odd (well, at least to your face *snigger* )

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SarahJC

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #7 on: August 20, 2009, 19:51 »
Ginger is gorgeous!  :D Emily you are a beaut too  ;) I thought my leghorn hybrid sybil had a jaunty comb, but Emilys out trumps it  :D

I don't have ex-batts, but I have read where hens combs are affected by heat, although mine (I mean the chickens  ::)) don't seem to be affected.
8 chickens, 5 cats, 2 guinea pigs and 1 other half.

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CattinJ

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #8 on: August 21, 2009, 13:41 »
My ex bats combs are peeling a bit and looking a bit flakey but apart from that they are getting smaller and a nice red colour after 2/3 weeks outside. 
Does anyone else have this with theirs and do you think it's normal?  Ive been putting vaseline on the ones that dont mind being handled as I believe ex bats combs need to be protected from sunburn - however I forgot initially and I think the symptoms I describe might be just peeling???

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Flowerpower136

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Re: Hot weather affecting combs?
« Reply #9 on: August 21, 2009, 15:51 »
A little bit scabby in places, but I thought it was just healing of the 'pecking order' squabbles.  They were pecking and hanging on to each others combs to start with.... plus a bit of kick boxing.  But that's all stopped now.


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