Quick query about combs

[chris]

(btw, what are wattles?)

Searched for this but couldn't find.. all three of my hens have pale combs, they're 17 weeks old.. is this just because they've more than likely come from a stressful environment, and/or are young birds?

They seem happy, and alert. They sort of erm, purr ? when I stroke them, and when I put them on the perch to roost at night (dont think they've quite worked that one out yet).

Just thought I'd check usual paranoid self.

[Glutton4...]

Wattles are the pink/red fleshy bits hanging either side of the beak. Like the Comb, they will swell and redden as they mature, and come into lay.

[chris]

Thanks, thought as much!

I've just checked pictures now - definitely some blusher being applied at the cheek level Seems to be much more "pinkier" as opposed to pinky-white when they arrived.

[Flummery]

They'll go a wonderful poppy red when they are ready to lay. They grow bigger too (the combs!)

[chris]

The blackrock's one is really darkening!!! The others are still pale, so fingers crossed we may have one who's coming into lay in the next few weeks. Cool. Really like em

[Jimmy Glasgow]

(btw, what are wattles?)

My kids used to through them out of the pram. lol