Floppy comb

[Harmoni]

My recently broody RIR's (day 6 of broodiness) comb has gone floppy. I know that can be a sign of health issues. She also has/had a pretty heavy roundworm load which was not seen until after she went broody. She was treeated with safeguard paste 2 days ago. Should I be overly concerned or is this broodiness related? She's leaving the nest once a day to eat and drink and poop. I supplied her with food and water in her maternity ward but she is still venturing out into the run.

 

[ronott1]

My recently broody RIR's (day 6 of broodiness) comb has gone floppy. I know that can be a sign of health issues. She also has/had a pretty heavy roundworm load which was not seen until after she went broody. She was treeated with safeguard paste 2 days ago. Should I be overly concerned or is this broodiness related? She's leaving the nest once a day to eat and drink and poop. I supplied her with food and water in her maternity ward but she is still venturing out into the run.

The comb looks ok to me. It is still pink which is good.

You could weigh her once a week to see if she is losing weight.

 

[Harmoni]

The comb looks ok to me. It is still pink which is good.

You could weigh her once a week to see if she is losing weight.

Thanks! Her eggs hatched so she is up and about now eating and drinking.

 

[humblehillsfarm]

My recently broody RIR's (day 6 of broodiness) comb has gone floppy. I know that can be a sign of health issues. She also has/had a pretty heavy roundworm load which was not seen until after she went broody. She was treeated with safeguard paste 2 days ago. Should I be overly concerned or is this broodiness related? She's leaving the nest once a day to eat and drink and poop. I supplied her with food and water in her maternity ward but she is still venturing out into the run.

It is broodiness related! Hens metabolisms slow down so they can conserve energy and leave the nest less frequently when they are broody. Their combs will start to look pale and floppy.

Personally, I manually remove my broody once or twice a day to ensure she runs around and gets a dust bath. I watch her until she's ready to return. I keep her separated from the others so I have to sort of guide her back to the right nest. Most broodies don't actually need to be removed from the nest though. Always make sure she doesn't have an egg stuck under her when you left her if you choose to do this.

 

[ronott1]

Thanks! Her eggs hatched so she is up and about now eating and drinking.

Congratulations!

 

[Harmoni]

It is broodiness related! Hens metabolisms slow down so they can conserve energy and leave the nest less frequently when they are broody. Their combs will start to look pale and floppy.

Personally, I manually remove my broody once or twice a day to ensure she runs around and gets a dust bath. I watch her until she's ready to return. I keep her separated from the others so I have to sort of guide her back to the right nest. Most broodies don't actually need to be removed from the nest though. Always make sure she doesn't have an egg stuck under her when you left her if you choose to do this.

I was removing her daily and closing the dog crate her nest box was in since one of my new layers kept laying in there lol

 

[Harmoni]

The fruits of her labor lol

 

[humblehillsfarm]

The fruits of her labor lol

So cute! I just love hatching babies!

 

[ronott1]

The fruits of her labor lol

Thanks for the pictures! They are very cute