The Poultry Keeper

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

And could be a real silly numpty question.

Whilst handling my little lavender pekin yesterday I noticed her ear flaps were turning a yellow colour. And on closer inspection a lot of her skin is yellow - particularly round the neck and chest area. Is this normal???
I certainly haven't noticed it before - and wondered if this colour change was due to her maturing or something more sinister?

Thanks in advance
Debs

CP · Posted: Wed Nov 30, 2005 12:07 pm Post subject:

Don't really know the answer to this one, but could it be caused by feeding corn? Confused

I haven't noticed it on their earlobes, but ours have yellow skin which is particularly noticable once they have been plucked! Rolling Eyes

Maybe someone else will have a theory??

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks B
I think I got a bit confused. On looking today it isn't the actual flaps over the ears - it's the flaps just under the ears. Not sure what the technical name is - not the comb or the bit under the chin. But the small dangly bit under the ear that's red on other hens (and cockerels)

Does that make it any clearer?

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

I wouldn`t be concerned as long as she is acting normal and is eating and drinking well.I have a hen that is usually red in that area and sometimes it is white trimmed in red.I have asked my friends and they told me ,what I told you.My hen has been doing this since I have had her.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

Thanks Chicken Smuggler. She seems fine otherwise, so I have stopped thinking she is about to up and die of jaundice!! LOL

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

You are welcome,one other thing if you have been having changes in the weather --cold one day and warm or hot the next--this can also cause changes in their color of the head or head parts.If she is laying regular that can also cause the change in color making them more pale.Give her Vitamins/minerals and electrolytes in he water.for electrolytes we use Gatorade if we run out of their electrolytes and they need them, just put a little in their water.

thewinkingtiger · Joined: 31 Aug 2005 Posts: 936 Location: East Yorkshire, UK

The only thing that I have changed is to increase their corn rations, so I wondered if that could have been the reason. She one of my 'original girls' that are SO lazy that they have never laid an egg!!! (Don't ask - it's an ongoing saga!!! LOL)
It has also got a lot colder quite quickly - so perhaps she is adjusting to that. But they do get lots of supplements - so hopefully that will help her from getting run down.

Thanks again for your help

Debs

1 Chicken Smuggler · Joined: 11 Dec 2005 Posts: 178

I think that it getting colder quickly is why that is happening,she my not be laying eggs if she is in any stage of the moult (mine aren`t laying either)or if you feed too much corn and she had gotten fat.In cold weather(We have ice on the ground) I give them their normal feed in the usual amounts but make the feed a 50/50 mix of their normal grain and add popcorn for the other 50%.(The plain type with no salt or flavoring added.)
Make sure they have plenty of fresh water , sometimes I need to change their water twice a day because of it freezing.I don`t believe that corn changed her color.