floppy comb hen

[MrsPeters]

I have a Rhode island red hen who I thought was molting but it has lasted for months! Now I think she is just low girl on the totem pole And getting pecked but this morning she came out and her comb is discolored and flopping in her eyes! What is wrong with my girl??

 

[GitaBooks]

I'm sorry to hear that, and I hope I can help.

Can you post a picture of her?

What symptoms has she shown?:
Feather loss
Scabs or injuries
Limping
Straining to lay eggs
Respiratory distress
Swelling of the face
Weight loss
Pale face
Lack of appetite
Loose droppings

Is it extra hot where you live?

 

[MrsPeters]

I work full time so unfortunately my observations are lacking but feather loss and her floppy comb has a grey ish tint she still lays an egg almost everyday. She is mixed on a flock of about 20 chickens and she is the only one showing these symptoms! I'll post a picture and soon as I get home if I can (bad cell reception) or first thing in the morning if I can't

 

[GitaBooks]

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/473072/lethargic-hen-discolored-comb

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/556074/pullet-comb-tips-discolored-worried

I hope these links can help!

I've heard that a droopy, discolored comb can mean poor circulation, heart problems, frost-bite, molting, worms, or lack of oxygen.

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I've heard that a droopy, discolored comb can mean poor circulation, heart problems, frost-bite, molting, worms, or lack of oxygen.

The ones I've bolded are more or less different terms for the same thing. I think we can rule out frost-bite since its summer. Its not molting either since its been going on for months. It could be worms or a heart problem. How old is this hen?

Sometimes otherwise healthy hens get floppy combs. I have seen hens with floppy combs admitted into large poultry shows, so it is apparently not seen as a sign of disease all the time.

Hens raised indoors will develop this, but that would not be the case here.

The feather loss could be a number of things. It may just be other hens are picking at her. I think you should separate for a few days and give her a quiet space with some good feed and a few supplements, some sort of probiotic would be good.

 

[MrsPeters]

Well she hid in the coop for a couple months and would not hardly come out because I had a Drake that wouldn't leave her alone but a raccoon got him a couple months ago (all my poultry is free range) and she had recently started venturing outside again so maybe the indoor thing? She is the only one with this issue out of about 20 counting this springs babies she is a little over a year old

 

[MrsPeters]

 

[HeritageGoose13]

Well she hid in the coop for a couple months and would not hardly come out because I had a Drake that wouldn't leave her alone but a raccoon got him a couple months ago (all my poultry is free range) and she had recently started venturing outside again so maybe the indoor thing? She is the only one with this issue out of about 20 counting this springs babies she is a little over a year old

In that case, it may have began for stress-reasons.

 

[MrsPeters]

OK thank you so much! Is there anything I can do for her?

 

[HeritageGoose13]

I would just keep a close eye on her.