easter egger comb issue

beckys flock

In the Brooder
5 Years
Aug 2, 2014
18
3
24
I have 3 EEs in a light juvenile molt (abt 11 wks old.) molting about two wks. I have noticed tiny dark spots on the very tip of their combs.. only the very tips! (today first notice). Its August- so obviously no frostbite. I have heard they can have comb issues due to: MITES/LICE (Ive seen no signs). PECKS- Ive seen no signs of aggression. This is still possible as I've heard they can sometimes be sneaky. But all birds seem to have at least one tiny dot. POX- unsure- I have not observed any other spots elsewhere on body, or elsewhere on comb either. What else should I look for? MOLT STRESS- since all are going through molt right now, this seems most likely scenario. They eat starter feed... supplimented with free range. When I started noticing signs of molt, I added a twice daily treat of abt 2 tbsp mealworm & 1/4 c grain mash mixed together- which they go nuts over! I've kept this as a "treat" so far- as I was unsure if too much would be healthy at young age- or is there no such thing as too much protein right now? If it IS stress, should I keep them in coop/ small run... is ranging right now too stressful? (They "seem" to fully enjoy it!) Anything else I can do to keep this time less stressful? Otherwise they are energetic, bright & act pretty normal. I'm new to this & need advice!
 
Could you post a picture of the combs? I would guess that it is just pecking by other birds. Even if you don't notice the picking, it can still happen. Birds in my flock occasionally get small scratches or peck marks.
 
Unfortunately I dont have internet phone, & kindle only has "selfie" camera (which I dont use). Ive tried taking photos with it, but you cant see what you're doing pointing it outwards... so sorry only a decription for now. If its pecking, could they be pecking just cos they just feel out of sorts during this molt- maybe a bit like chicken PMS? Or at 3 months are they still establishing their pecking order? Perhaps I shouldnt worry unless it becomes worse? Thankfully, I dont see signs of blood.
 
Unfortunately I dont have internet phone, & kindle only has "selfie" camera (which I dont use). Ive tried taking photos with it, but you cant see what you're doing pointing it outwards... so sorry only a decription for now. If its pecking, could they be pecking just cos they just feel out of sorts during this molt- maybe a bit like chicken PMS? Or at 3 months are they still establishing their pecking order? Perhaps I shouldnt worry unless it becomes worse? Thankfully, I dont see signs of blood.
Birds will occasionally get pecked in small squabbles over pecking order (for example, a bird might find something good to eat, a lower ranking bird comes over, and it gets pecked on the head/comb). I've found that molting birds do tend to get bad moods at certain times and want to assert their dominance or attack other birds. I wouldn't worry much unless it gets worse.
 
Thanks so much "Wyandottes7"! I will keep close watch on them to be sure it doesnt get worse. If it does, I may have to temporarily seperate them for few days (aka: put them in "time out")!
 
Following day combs looked better.. either something stressed em for a day (& only god knows what... as I have no idea), chicken molting pms attitide, or maybe a bug flew in that another wanted & a greedy one pecked... but whatever the issue was, I suppose must be resolved as all seems better.
 

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