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
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
