[susa]

Hi, a couple of our hens have become rather pale in the skin on their face and (slightly less-so) in the comb. They are nine months old and have not yet started moulting, but I assume will do so soon? Is that all it is? We wormed them with Flubenvet a couple of weeks ago. They otherwise seem very healthy - eating/laying well etc. Thanks!

[Helenaj]

Have you checked the coop for red mite? Hens that are becoming anaemic due to red mite infestation often end up with very pale faces and combs. Had it been only one I may have said a heart problem, but since some of your girls have it I'd bet on red mite.

best way to check is to run a white cloth or kitchen roll under the perches when it's dark - if it comes back red, you have red mite.

[Catsmuvva]

My thoughts as well. If it is red mite you need to act quickly!

In a recent interview in Practical Poultry John Pile, with over 50 years of keeping poultry to his credit, is asked what he considered to be the most important piece of advice to give to a newbie. He said "Red mite is as big a threat to your chickens as the fox."

[susa]

Thanks very much for your replies. I don't think we have red mite - I am quite regular with the Poultry Shield and diatom, and don't get any red marks from the underside of the perch...

[Casey76]

The comb and face will become paler if the hen is not in lay also.