Hen with swollen comb!!! HELP!!

[crystalchik]

Okay, I am going to say up front right now that I dont know if I should be concerned or not!
I have an OE hen that looks like her comb is starting to darken and swell. It is also kind of shinny. Not really bad though.
I just lost an OE roo in that same pen just this morn, he doesnt seem to be ill but his face looked a little swollen. I wasnt able to see him last night...I got home late and it was dark when I fed them all. I had noticed that he had been looking like he was feeling down but wasnt skinny or anything and showed no other signs, so I kind of overlooked it.
And in that same pen I have pigeons and lost one of my pigeons suddenly and unexpectedly 2 days ago. He seemed fine not swollen at all, skinny or even sick. No signs of trauma. And had been fine up until mid-day. Then I came home to find him dead on the ground.
It has been cold these past few days, but it has been nice yesterday and today.

I dont know if I am jumping to conclusions and just being paranoid! There are really no tell-tale signs but I am concerned because this is the 2nd death over the past 3 days.
If you think I am being paranoid please tell me, but if you think something is up here tell me what you think!!
Thank you very much for any advice you can give me!
Crystalchik

 

[LynneP]

Because you have more than one species together, it complicates the situation.
Nevertheless, here are some threads on swollen combs so you can sift through the situation.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/se...0&ie=ISO-8859-1&q=swollen+comb&sa=Search#1242

I don't have enough experience to guide you in this one, sorry.

 

[MoodyChicken]

Sounds like bluecomb. Bluecomb is a parasite that causes the comb to swell and turn dark blue. It also severely damages the liver, resulting in death.

 

[crystalchik]

LynneP,
Thank you very much for that thread. I think I overlooked a very possible possiblity though. I have had a peachick in with them all for a while, and everyone has seemed to live in harmony up until now. I just looked closer at the 2 bodies and found extremely small signs of trauma on both: feathers missing off the pigeon's neck and the comb seems ripped on the OE at the very base. I am sad to say, but I think our culprit is the peacock. He is bigger now and I have seen him turn on a chicken now and then, but it wasnt anything bad. He is sweet as can be, he jumps up on my arm when I call him. But I am going to move him out and see if that helps. I think it will. I feel so stupid for not catching this. I have had pigeons and peacocks together with no problems before.
But thank you for your help and I am going to keep a close watch on that hen as well.
Crystalchik

MoodyChicken
I am definately going to check into that and I will watch my hen for any other symptoms. Thank you so much!!

 

[LynneP]

Still- you seem to have figured it.

If trauma, the problem should pass, provided there is not infection.
You may need electrolytes with antibiotic if there is.

Because antibiotics can develop resistance to bacteria if not used properly, approach their use with caution...certainly vitamins to boost immune system would not be out of order. Or, use electrolytes without antibiotics.

Yep, a peahen could do that.

To be honest, I think mixing species puts you at greater risk of disease as wel as trauma, though. Something to consider...good luck with your girl.

 

[MoodyChicken]

I'm not sure about peacocks, but I know turkeys increase the risk of bluecomb. Peacocks seem... turkeyish. lol. Fortunatley, Bluecomb is easy to treat and if you catch it early it's not a problem. There's a special drug for it, but I'm not sure what it is, all I know is that it's banned in the state of California.