Hen Purple Comb Tip

[Legbrorn]

Hi everyone,
So two of my hens have purple tip on the comb. I’m pretty much around them all day on the farm and they just developed this now in the afternoon.

They are acting normal, laid eggs today, and it was hot today. Could it be dehydration? They have plenty of water available and are on top of the peck order so no one is really blocking them to drink.

How can I help them?

 

[MysteryChicken]

Common with birds with large combs. Wouldn't be concerned unless the entire thing turns purple.

 

[LaFleche]

Did it suddenly become hot in your area?

Check their coop thoroughly for poultry mites

 

[Legbrorn]

Did it suddenly become hot in your area?

Check their coop thoroughly for poultry mites

It was. Today I’ve noticed it again and it wasn’t that hot though.

Are there any signs that are signaling the presence of mites? I mean apart from encountering the mite

 

[aart]

Are there any signs that are signaling the presence of mites? I mean apart from encountering the mite

Encountering it is the only sure way.
Here's how:
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Look fast, they will scatter quickly once the feathers are parted and the light hits them.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

 

[LaFleche]

In addition to @aart 's tips you can use a double-sided adhesive tape along the underside of their roosting bars and around the ends where they meet the wall.

When the mites come out of the crevices at night to suck the chickens' blood they will get stuck to the tape on their way to the chickens.

 

[Legbrorn]

Encountering it is the only sure way.
Here's how:
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Look fast, they will scatter quickly once the feathers are parted and the light hits them.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

Encountering it is the only sure way.
Here's how:
Google images of lice/mites and their eggs before the inspection so you'll know what you're looking for.

Part the feathers right down to the skin around vent, head/neck and under wings.

Best done well after dark with a strong flashlight/headlight, easier to 'catch' bird and also to check for the mites that live in structure and only come out at night to feed off roosting birds.

Look fast, they will scatter quickly once the feathers are parted and the light hits them.

Wipe a white paper towel along the underside of roost to look for red smears(smashed well fed mites).

Good post about mite ID by Lady McCamley:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-chicken-has-mites-now-what.1273674/page-2#post-20483008

Ah I did find these red mites, with the method you mentioned under roost. It was only a few of them but still.

Is it really that hard to get rid of them?