Dark/shriveling comb on chicken

[A-gaspar13]

Hey everyone! Was hoping I could vet some help here, I have a 9 month old delaware chicken who used to be super healthy! A month ago she got sour crop and ended up making a full recovery. We used vaginal creme and she returned to the coop totally normal a week later. About 2 weeks ago though she starting being very lethargic and wasn’t acting like herself or even laying eggs. Up until her sour crop incident she was our most consistent layer. While we dont care about loosing out on eggs she hasnt been acting like herself and her poops have been very watery with undigested food in the mix. She still eats and drinks here and there but always seems to get extremely lethargic even after small amounts of food. I’ve been feeding her mash mostly to help with her digestive issues. THEN! a few days ago I noticed her comb starting to turn darker in color. She hasnt been exposed to extreme weather so I know its not frostbite but its been getting worse and its now a little shriveled as well. She still isnt laying but still eating and drinking. Has anyone experienced this before? I feel like i’ve done a lot of research and the only thing I can think of is worms ?? Is there a home remedy for that? I really don't know what else to do

 

[micstrachan]

Can we see a photo of her comb? If she’s heading into molt, I would expect the comb to shrivel and lighten. Can you tell if she’s carrying extra fluid in her abdomen?

 

[A-gaspar13]

 

[A-gaspar13]

I didnt feel anything other than her crop which feels pretty normal as she just ate and drank a bunch

 

[micstrachan]

I agree that is a darkened comb, which could be cyanosis (bluish tinge due to low oxygen.) How is her breathing? Did you check her abdomen for fluid?

One of my hens’ comb did seem a bit bluish before it faded at molt this year, so it’s possible that’s all that’s goingon. I would watch for dropped feathers.

You might offer her something high in iron like little bits of beef or raw liver to see if that perks her up. If it’s cyanosis from a heart condition, not much can be done, but we don’t know yet if that is the issue. Could she have gotten into a toxin?

 

[A-gaspar13]

I will try giving her beef. Is raw ok or should I cook it? Her breathing seems fine, and there are a few dropped feathers but nothing out of the ordinary.

 

[micstrachan]

I *think* raw beef is ok, but it may be safer to cook it, just in case. Raw may be more appetizing to a chicken, though. Let us know if she takes it.

 

[A-gaspar13]

Ok will do! Thanks !

 

[Shezadandy]

When a comb turns that color the first inclination is she's not getting enough oxygen. It COULD be that the slow crop was the first indication of another problem, especially as you're back a couple weeks later with another issue. Check another couple of hens' abdomens, down right between the legs, then compare what you feel on the chicken with the dark comb in the same area.

If something isn't working right, they start to gather fluid in the abdomen, which in turn compresses their lungs, and makes it harder for all the normal systems to work. Often it ends up being some stage of egg yolk peritonitis causing all the symptoms.

If she does have fluid in her abdomen, you can relieve it by draining her with a 14 or 16 gauge needle (found in the cattle section in farm stores), which will bring her comb back to a nice rosy red. From then it's a management issue.

 

[Ribh]

Check for lice & mites as well. If she has an infestation a darkening, shriveling comb will be one symptom.