Does It look like BlueComb

[chkn]

Quote:
Oh no, that's normal, my chickens do it alot in full sun.

 

[chkn]

It might not be a bad idea to do the conservative approach, Wazine once followed by pour on Ivermectin 7-10 days later. Some here might recommend Valbazen directly (and I'm starting to lean in that direction) but you have to be more careful about the dosages. I like Ivermectin for it's affect on external parasites. Right now though, their color is good, their appetite is good. People always ask how do I know my chickens have worms and my opinion is that chickens always have worms! I think worming is a good idea.

 

[ClareScifi]

Just now I went out to give them their watermelon rind for the day, and she made a noise I would describe as "Snick." What could this be? Also, I did notice that she had her mouth open and was breathing harder than her sister who doesn't have the dark comb (with her beak open), so I wonder? Maybe it is circulatory.

Both girls came running for cold watermelon.

The dark-combed girl has always been a bit larger than her sister, in size.

They both laid beautiful eggs today.

I wonder whether she could have inhaled moldy spores while under the house being broody? I guess time will tell. I always expect the worst. I guess I'd better enjoy her fully while I have her... She's such a very sweet girl. I will miss her when she's gone, and her sister will be devastated. They are so close.

 

[ClareScifi]

P.S. I should add that the temperature here right now is only 83.8 F, not hot enough to make a healthy hen pant, I wouldn't think? But, if she is broody and has an extra hot breast, maybe???

When I took out her watermelon to her, she was sitting in the dust bath I had prepared for her with Pyrethrin in it, in case she does have louse/mites (all the preening, and pecked out breast feathers). She came running for her treat.

It has been overly humid here recently with lots of rain. It would be nice if she has only a mild case of asthma, but I'm not holding my breath...

 

[chkn]

I think they could be more suspeptible to heat if they had a heavy worm (parasite) load. Have you noticed any sneezing this year? It's possible to have a low grade respiratory thing ongoing and in that case using antibiotics is recommended. While you're worming would be a good time for the antibiotics.

 

[ClareScifi]

Thanks for the opinions on worming. I think when I took their fecal stool to the vet in April, she used the wrong kind of test. I was assured they didn't have worms, but now I think they probably just didn't show up...

 

[chickenlady08]

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I don't think they look fat at all. My BR are roughly the same size as yours. They are my favorite, well one of my favorite breeds. lol

 

[chkn]

It might be the humidity that is doing it.

 

[ClareScifi]

I have heard occasional sneezes.

What type of antibiotic would you recommend? I'm an organic/natural type person, so these medicines all terrify me, especially treating for things they might not have, when they are already perhaps compromised.

I wonder if it would be best to take her to a vet for a complete work-up, but that is so expensive, and I am poor.

Is there an antibiotic that wouldn't be too harsh that I could include with the worming treatment?

I'll bet you are right that they do have worms, though an expert in this area said we don't have to worry much because our winters are so cold, but maybe she meant we don't have to worry in the early spring, not now?

I'm in Salt Lake City, Utah.

We have cats who have been in the greenhouse which is now the chickens' run, so I would think they could have picked up worms from the cats, especially when they were out free-ranging?

 

[blueberrychickens]

I think she's just panting cuz she's hot. You try wearing a down coat in 80+ muggy weather, you'd be panting too! My girls are all panting, but it's in the 90's today. As for the breast feathers, I think its just molting. My broody finally came off the nest (no fertile eggs) & now shes looking pretty ragged around the edges, I see lots of her feathers around the coop & run. IDK about her comb, but I'd be more concerned w/ your girls being able to put their heads thru the fence to eat the greens on the other side. It would be very easy for a coon to pull their heads thru the fence & kill them. It's happened too many times.
Good luck!