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"sweating blood" at top of beak / bottom of comb???

post #1 of 15
Thread Starter 

I'm totally new to chickens -- just got them 2 weeks ago.  So in the horrible heat late yesterday afternoon, before dinner time, all 10 of my chickens (6 / 7 weeks) suddenly had a little drop of blood at the top of their beak, bottom of where the comb is developing! Actually it seemed to be a drop of blood and also some clear liquid.  Was that some kind of reaction to the high temps?   Any explanation for that?  A danger sign of some kind, like they were about to have heat stroke or something?   It didn't look like any kind of injury happened, and I didn't see how all of them could get the exact same injury, anyway.  Some of them were panting, or at least holding their beaks open (which is guess is panting for a chicken?) 

Also - Most of them are just beginning to get kind of pinkish/red faces in the past couple of days.  I guess that's a developmental stage.  So wondering if that means that they have extra blood circulating around in new capillaries in their comb/wattles areas?  And so in the heat maybe they were "sweating blood"???

My instinct was just to do what I had been doing to make sure they stay as cool as possible -- Their run is in a nice shady spot.  I have made sure they have plenty of cool water - and ice water in the afternoon.   When I saw this weird thing develop with the blood/liquid drop on their beak/comb, I stayed with them and set out a 9x13 pan of cool water -- stood some of them in it, but they would jump out quickly! Had already misted down 1/2 of their run a couple of times earlier in the day, so did that again.  They don't seem to like walking around in the mist, but once I turn it off, they do walk around in the damp part. 

Except for the open beaks on some of them, they really kept acting pretty normal.  I kept an eye on them in the early evening, and nothing horrible happened.  Did have a fan for them once they were tucked in for the night in their roosting spot in our garage.  (We should have their permanent coop home finished tomorrow - Very exciting for all of us!!!)

They all seem happy and fine this morning.  But we're going to be even hotter this afternoon.  I've been reading all the suggestions about how to keep them cool, and will do my best.  Just want some advice about how much to panic if they start "sweating blood" again today!  Any explanations?  Thanks!!!

post #2 of 15

Sorry I don't have an answer for your question.. But I just wanted to say welcome welcome-byc ! I also live in PA. Sorry I cant help you with this question.

Mollie

I don't judge others...

And in return appreciate not being judged...

We all make mistakes..

We all try our best to take care of our birds..

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I don't judge others...

And in return appreciate not being judged...

We all make mistakes..

We all try our best to take care of our birds..

Reply
post #3 of 15

Mites maybe?

post #4 of 15

I have to say, I've NEVER heard of this before; it's very odd.  It sounds like they are eating & drinking fine?  Does their poop look normal?

SPECIALIZING IN:  Jersey Giants.  Black Copper Marans.  Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  Isbars.  Click to view my website.

Just for fun:  First & second generation "olive eggers," and a few ducks - Welsh Harlequin, Black Swedish, Black Runner.

 

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SPECIALIZING IN:  Jersey Giants.  Black Copper Marans.  Silver Penciled Plymouth Rocks.  Isbars.  Click to view my website.

Just for fun:  First & second generation "olive eggers," and a few ducks - Welsh Harlequin, Black Swedish, Black Runner.

 

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post #5 of 15

No idea. The only things that I've seen to cause blood around a beak are being pecked there or having Infectious Laryngotracheitis (sp?), known as ILT, which causes blood to be slung around, but if it's just a drop, no gagging, coughing or slinging gunk around, no idea. Is it on the comb or the beak, though? Wasn't exactly sure from your post. Could you post a picture of it for us?

 

~A dog on its owner's property is a pet; A dog on someone else's property is a predator~

 

 

Living the Good Life in the North Georgia Mountains~ Cynthia

 

 

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~A dog on its owner's property is a pet; A dog on someone else's property is a predator~

 

 

Living the Good Life in the North Georgia Mountains~ Cynthia

 

 

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post #6 of 15
Thread Starter 

Sorry - no photos.  This happened yesterday afternoon and I didn't think to take a picture.  They really seem fine today!  It was so odd.  A tiny drop, right where the beak joins the head and the comb begins to form -- kind of on top of where the nostrils are.  (hmmm.   maybe a nose bleed of some kind?)  They seem normal today, though.  We're in for another super hot afternoon, so I'll be checking on them frequently!

post #7 of 15
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wynette 

I have to say, I've NEVER heard of this before; it's very odd.  It sounds like they are eating & drinking fine?  Does their poop look normal?


They are seeming fine today -- eating, drinking, pooping as usual.  So I guess I'm not going to worry about it too much.  Just if it happens again today, I'll be yelling for help to figure this out!  Thanks!

post #8 of 15

If you see it again, please run for your camera. I'd like to see it so I can make a better suggestion.

 

~A dog on its owner's property is a pet; A dog on someone else's property is a predator~

 

 

Living the Good Life in the North Georgia Mountains~ Cynthia

 

 

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~A dog on its owner's property is a pet; A dog on someone else's property is a predator~

 

 

Living the Good Life in the North Georgia Mountains~ Cynthia

 

 

Reply
post #9 of 15

(This is my first post here, so please forgive if I'm not doing this right.) I just found five of my six pullets have exactly this issue this morning. There's a drop of blood just where the beak and comb meet. I'm relieved to hear that this resolved itself quickly for the original poster here, so i won't panic. But has anyone heard of this since last posting on this thread? There's no odd behavior, no swelling, just a fresh little drop of blood.

post #10 of 15

Gosh, so strange. When I read the original post, my first thought was "Environmental"- as in the chickens are either fighting at the waterer or there's something causing the comb damage in the pen at a common spot- i.e. everyone sticking their heads out of the fence, scraping it on wire at the feeder etc. The waterer just stands out since it's only happening in hot weather. Hmmmm.... would be nice to know the breeds, just for data's sake.

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