Black wattles, then bloody - Anyone have this experience?

[mariehart]

One of our white chickens developed very dark wattles - not from frostbite since the weather has been in 40's and 50's. Today, there's blood on her throat and chest and the wattles are normal red with some dark red lines (probably dried blood) and look sort of torn up. But otherwise, she's acting completely normal. ??? Anybody seen this happen?

 

[Eggcessive]

Could frostbite have occurred some time ago and you are just now noticing it? Wattles and combs will bleed when they are banged against anything such as a feeder or waterer. Also the others may peck at it.

 

[mariehart]

Thanks for a quick reply! Frostbite seems unlikely since we just have 11 chics and I see them twice a day. At any rate since she continues to be fine otherwise, I'll assume she got hurt somehow and will be ok. It's great to be able to get advice this way.

 

[gander007]

Thanks for a quick reply! Frostbite seems unlikely since we just have 11 chics and I see them twice a day. At any rate since she continues to be fine otherwise, I'll assume she got hurt somehow and will be ok. It's great to be able to get advice this way.

Do you have a good clear close up photo of the problem so we can all
see what you are describing because if it is not frost bite then it could
be as easy as diet and protein is a good fix for this .....

 

[mariehart]

I got some photos today...you can see the wattle that was most affected. I don't know that it would be diet or protein deficiency - they're getting 18% protein/organic feed, plus yogurt, lettuce, and whatever bugs they find in their yard.

Well, I can't see anywhere to attach a photo, sorry.

 

[jonalisa]

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[mariehart]

 

[mariehart]

Thanks, Jonalisa - guess I missed passing over that box. Here's the pic.

 

[gander007]

Thank you for the photo during feeding time ....

mariehart, I would like to make a suggestion if I may about your feed but
a question first ...

1. Is this the only feed you give them, I ask the because it is a compact
feed and yes I probably use the same thing myself but I learned to let
it soak in water in a pan on the stove and the first hour on low hear as
to get the water warm then the pellets break up to a mushy like
consistency and sometimes add an animal grade rice to he mix or what
ever was laying around .....

2. You are taking good care of your chicken's that I can see very well
as all look to be in good health all in all .....

3. The soaking in water is to help with digestion of all the minerals you have
paid for so where this feed works with hogs your chickens are smaller
and the feed has less time to break down in side your chickens the soaking
in water will help.......

4. I was unable to give my chickens Turkey Grow when it was windy as
a good portion would fly away so this was the reason I started to soak
my feed with the pellets in water and bang the chickens got heaver
and I wasted less feed and could mix the feed easer ........







gander007

 

[mariehart]

Thanks - I have also discovered that adding water helps keep the feed in the bowl, so I do that. I've never tried soaking it for some time. We also get a Canadian feed which is definitely a mash, and mix it with the pellets. The CA feed does become a mash without soaking, but I'll have to see about the other. Food for thought, so to speak...