Help!! MY hen's comb is turnung black....

[cflaxy]

Hello all,

I have a black sexlink whose comb is turning black

The last hen that had this died the next day..... I do not think it is frostbite as I live in the Tucson, AZ and it only gets into the 40's at night. They are in their coop with all open areas covered with canvas. Do you think this could be poisioning?? She is still laying... I just took this pic a few minutes ago and she was in her nstbox laying. Thanks to anyone who can help!

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[cflaxy]

This is the best pic I could get... Her comb is much darker but hard to see with the flash

 

[kari_dawn]

I dunno what to tell you

I had a silkie cochin mix roo whos comb would purple...I would masage it and it would return to normal...does she have any other symptoms?

 

[cflaxy]

Nope. no other symptoms, but my leghorn didn't either....and then died the next day.

Thanks anyway.

 

[hispoptart]

Since it is probably not frost bite, I did a quick search and found some info that seems to lead towards heart or liver problems. Wish I could be more help.

 

[RhodeIslandRedFan]

Perhaps this other thread will help... https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=602673

 

[Chicken_Pauper]

How is she today? Still living? Any other symptoms come up?

Rub it and see if anything "comes off" -- to see if it rubs off at all. They can get mites on their combs as well as the other body areas. Check for mites around vent, under wings (armpit skin), etc.?

How many chickens do you have? How old are they? Have you ever wormed them? No other symptoms still? Is she eating and drinking and doing everything she normally does? Do they free range? Is there anything they could get to and eat that they shouldn't?

I do think that some chickens can have a genetic weakness, maybe from in breeding, maybe a heart problem, depending on where you got them. In my case, it seemed all of my Barred Rocks that I started with were weak, three ended up dying or being so "habitually sick" that I culled them. The Barred Rock were sisters that seemed to have chronic health issues. I didn't have the same problem with any others in the flock.

Good luck -- I hope she and all your flock are well and continue to thrive.

Take care.