Comb is turning color and is floppy, chicken is lethargic

[PAINTNQUARTER]

My Barred Rock rooster is acting very lethargic and his comb is turning black and flopping over. He still wants to eat and drink, but I know without a doubt he isn't well. I am attaching a picture of him. This is normally a very large healthy rooster!

 

[TheCluckyClucker2]

Has it been cold where you are? This could be frostbite. It may also be heart problems. @azygous @Overo Mare @Wyorp Rock

 

[PAINTNQUARTER]

Has it been cold where you are? This could be frostbite. It may also be heart problems. @azygous @Overo Mare @Wyorp Rock

The temperature hasn't been below 30 degrees, and somedays highs of 68-70.
Thank you so much for reply!!

 

[azygous]

Can you get a better photo of the comb? This one is out of focus and we can't see the dark comb tips clearly.

I doubt it's frost bite with those somewhat mild temps unless he was exposed to the wind chill at below freezing. Do you recall his comb appearing white on the tips that are now blackening? If so, that would point to frost bite. Frost bite causes the comb to swell, as well.

If he's behaving sluggishly, offer him some warm sugar water to elevate his glucose. If he revives, it will point to hypothermia. You do need to avoid exposing him to below freezing temps for the next several weeks.

 

[PAINTNQUARTER]

Can you get a better photo of the comb? This one is out of focus and we can't see the dark comb tips clearly.

I doubt it's frost bite with those somewhat mild temps unless he was exposed to the wind chill at below freezing. Do you recall his comb appearing white on the tips that are now blackening? If so, that would point to frost bite. Frost bite causes the comb to swell, as well.

If he's behaving sluggishly, offer him some warm sugar water to elevate his glucose. If he revives, it will point to hypothermia. You do need to avoid exposing him to below freezing temps for the next several weeks.

I did not see any white tips. This just started the last couple of days. There have been no days below freezing or wind to cause freezing temperatures.

 

[azygous]

Do you have any anti-fungal cream, vaginal or athlete's foot cream? The black tips look like they could have a fungus. If you have no anti-fungus creams, use coconut oil as it's anti-fungal.

You need to check in his throat for anything out of the ordinary. If there are lesions inside his throat, you may need to treat it with metronitazole.

 

[Eggcessive]

It still looks like frostbite, but it may just be from injuring his comb by being pecked or running it into metal fencing. The small dots looks like pecking. Can you get him drinking some electrolytes in water from a cup held up to his beak? Is he cold? Offer some moistened chicken feed and some cooked egg.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My Barred Rock rooster is acting very lethargic and his comb is turning black and flopping over. He still wants to eat and drink, but I know without a doubt he isn't well. I am attaching a picture of him. This is normally a very large healthy rooster!

Looks like dirt on the comb. Can you dampen a paper towel and see if it wipes off?

His beak has been broken or trimmed? What's his crop feel like? He's dribbling water/fluid, does he have any lesions inside his beak?

Get some clearer photos of him (all of him, both sides) and his poop too please.

 

[MadamContrary]

If it started off as light colored spots that progress to darker color it could be fowl pox, but I think it might be late in the season for pox. The way it looks, it really does present like frost bite, with the major damage on the tips of his comb, but that could be coincidence. If you see it popping up on other birds anywhere on exposed skin over the next week or two it's likely pox. There's nothing to do in that case, just keep an eye out to be sure they're eating and drinking well on their own. Hens will stop laying while dealing with fowl pox, usually lasts a couple weeks, and spreads slowly from bird to bird. It's transmitted by wild birds, although they offer vaccines it must be done as a preventative, not after infection.