hen with blue tipped comb-MORE QUESTIONS

[seminolewind]

Not frostbite, LOL. I don't think it's a vitamin deficiency, the chickens have been getting Purina or Nutrena, free range in a closed yard, and leftovers sometimes. It seems like she walks real slow. I tried to catch her to look her over tonight, and she tried to get away, and I stopped trying because she ran a few steps and her comb started turning blue again. I could cry. My first hen. Arrived in a box at the PO. I didn't know they debeaked chickens until I took her out of the box. We made sure that the food and water were always deep for her, and we never ever told her that she is "different"

 

[ivan3]

Check her comb after she goes to roost (more dusky?). Also, try the `exercise' walking during the morning and again in the early afternoon (one, to see if the bluish tint returns on exertion - one would guess circulatory?) this is the time of day she'd be the most `perfused' (does this happen more during evening/night?).

Our roo has always cycled from bright red to purple (almost fading to black as his eyes slowly shut and his head nods until his beak hits the deck - naps while the girls preen before heading off to roost).

Hope it is just a sign of age and nothing with a name. Probably do well to keep her from being startled too often.

 

[77horses]

So her comb only turns blue when she runs for a short period of time??? Mmm...Well I know that people with ammonia (sp??? not sure if that's what it's called?) get really tired and faint when they do small things such as walking up a flight of stairs. I don't know much about it except that, but can chickens get it too? Just a thought.

I also agree that it has something to do with circulation. I don't know what, but I'm guessing it's related to something like that.

 

[tamelroy]

Ok, don't laugh. Just a thought, I don't know that much about chickens. I have asthma, and if it is real bad my lips would turn a blue to purple, could it be a lack of oxygen? because you said it is when she runs, I dunno, I know people and animals are different, just trying to help.

 

[California Ducken]

California Greetings!!! 3 of 6 of the roosters I had had blueish tips to their combs. And several females as well. All were healthy and have never been sick. I have had them for 5 years now, so that's just "my experience."
I do know if a lot of their comb turns blue, you may want to check for lice. (You might want to check that anyway for safety sake).
Good Luck !!!

 

[seminolewind]

Hi, thanks for the responses. I noticed it this morning, and this afternoon, and this evening when I went out with treats. If she stands still and doesn't move she's fine. I checked her for bugs, no. For an egg, no. I would figure if it was respiratory, she would be breathing fast or labored, but she's not. I have to agree up to this point, it sounds circulatory. Tonight her feet and legs looked flush. I can't say they looked blue or dark, just like blushing color. She's not acting or looking sick, just tired.

My neighbor has a 1 year old cornish cross that does that. He weighs almost 20 pounds, and I'm suprised he's lived that long. I know it's cardiac stress with him. My hen is a normal weight.

 

[ManyQuestions]

I just did a search for "blue comb" and found this post...result! Have the exact same with my 1yr old roo, however his is much more pronounced.

Although I'm in Ireland, its quite nice out and has been for some weeks, start of spring and all.

Roo isnt weak or wanting for anything, so I have no idea what its caused by. Hes a Coronation Sussex and a fine healthy lump of a bird. The purple/blue is constant, resting or running.

Interested to see what other suggestions there are as to what it is.

 

[hinkjc]

The comb shows circulatory changes in a chicken. This can be a sign of heart problems. It can also change due to changes in body temperature and the chickens regulating process kicking in.

 

[seminolewind]

Hey, Dublin! Welcome to BYC! Its always nice to have members from other countries, and hear their stories. Hope to see you post alot!

Jody, I believe you and others are right. I think its a cardiac thing. She's been slow and tired, but not looking sick, and eating and drinking. If she walks faster, her comb turns blue. Hopefully, she can live that way for a long time. You just never know how long.

 

[seminolewind]

Update. Today, she's fluffed up. Comb seems the right color, but her legs turn bright pink/red now and then. Walking slow, and sleeping every time I look out. She has gotten thinner, but I've seen her eat and drink.

She has no swollen abdomen, or nothing that feels like an egg. She hasn't laid, where she used to lay 6 out of 7 days. I checked under the roost and didn't find any poo that looked abnormal.

She's about 3 years old.