Blue comb tips on active chicken - normal?

AnnaErl

Hatching
Jul 8, 2025
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Hello everyone from Germany,

I've been reading this great forum from time to time and hope I can now ask a question!
My 2-year-old Orpington has had an intermittent blue comb tip, or more precisely, the end of her comb, for a few days. Her comb is quite "fleshy" compared to the others. The blue disappears when she stays very still. Otherwise, she's in top shape, sprinting to the food – maybe even over-fit, and occasionally chasing the lowest-ranking hen. I also think that after about 6 weeks of clucking at the end of April, she's starting to do it again (she keeps going into the nest, but doesn't make any clucking noises yet). My hens never go into the coop during the day except to lay eggs/clucking, but when I take her out, she's active and eating, as I said. Today, her comb is more bluish, but it's relatively cool here compared to the last few days. When it's warm, she's panting quite a bit, but she's just as active.

I've already started giving her hawthorn tablets, but I'm a little worried, given what I've read about heart failure. She's not breathing heavily, and I can't feel any abdominal fluid either.

My question to you: I read in the chicken forum, in addition to heart failure as a possible cause, that some chickens with large combs seem to have this from time to time and that it's not a problem. Her comb isn't huge, but rather thick.

Does anyone have experience with this and perhaps a chicken with a similar problem that hasn't died in the foreseeable future?

I'm really worried, even though she seems to be doing well. Thanks and best wishes!

Anna
 

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If it's a blood flow issue, I would look in to vitamin c, iron rich foods (small amounts, as she should be getting iron in her feed, but a little slip of liver here or there is probably fine), and rutine for vein strength.

I'm new to chickens but this is what I would guess for early neuropathy (ignoring medications or diets that can cause this) in humans. And all three are safe (with caveats) for chickens based on a cursory online search.

Additionally, for heart health you can look into L-carnitine for chickens, and for lungs N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC.)
 
Thank you! I ordered some of the things and will give it to her as soon as they arrive.
I just wonder if it's the heart/ blood flow or just a common thing with big breeds/ large combs. Maybe someone has experience with this :)
 

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