Legs, Feet and comb turning purplish color, possible black spots? - PLEASE HELP!

[freerange4hens]

UPDATE! Upon closer inspection, it looks like my Delaware's comb, base of beak, waddle are more pinkish purple and kinda scaly. Her feet lost color too and are scaly. What does this mean?? The other two birds have bright red combs, but maybe a few black spots on them?? They are about 18 months old and only two are laying. They are eating and drinking fine and have just recovered and got their feathers back from a molt.



Thank you!

 

[freerange4hens]

So no one knows whats wrong? Any advice would be helpful please.

Thank you in advance.

 

[nettifer]

sounds like they are anemic! you need to check for mites or lice , have they been wormed? how are they eating , drinking etc?

 

[ten chicks]

What does it mean when the comb or the legs/feet are losing color or turning white? I noticed my Delaware is having this happen and she is only about 18 months old. What can I do to correct this?

Thank you!

First thing that comes to my mind is she may be anemic due to a parasitic infestation. For mites/lice look under wings,around vent area,base of tail feathers. You may want to check coop/nest boxes/roosts/walls at night,use a flashlight. Worms do not always show up in poop.

 

[freerange4hens]

They are eating well and drinking fine. Not losing any feathers, she just got over a pretty bad molt too. The other ladies look just nice and red and feet look normal.

 

[freerange4hens]

I have a dewormer I can use, just have not used it yet. It is called Valbazen? When you say worms on the walls of the coop.. what do they look like?? and what do the mites look like. If I de worm them will this help, or can I give them more iron in the diet?

 

[freerange4hens]

I am thinking it may be mites... what can I use to get rid of these?

 

[NovaAman]

Mites... a bane for sure. poultry dust.

Might want to give her some poultry nutri drench too. Is you are in the cold, bring her in, with heat. I see you are in MI... Yes, it's cold. If she's anemic from mites, she's going to have a harder time keeping warm. Bring her in, dust her down with the poultry dust, or you can also use ivomec (ivermectin) drops right on her back, under wings, near vent.

 

[Dreyadin]

Did you inspect the birds yet?
Don't give them iron- the last thing they need is to accidently have heavy metal poisoning.

Check the birds like ten chicks said. You want to know what parasites you are dealing with before you go dumping meds & wormers into them.

If it is external parasites.. it will involve stripping out the coop. Then depending on what they have- there are dusts & sprays that can be used in the coop, nestboxes,roosts... nooks & crannies... and the birds.

Right now it is dark.. grab a flashlight and take a look. Push aside some feathers to inspect at the base and the skin. May want a helping hand to hold the flashlight so you can take a good look.

Up close pics of creepy crawlies & info

BYC page on mites & lice

 

[Eggcessive]

I would use the Valbazen if they have never been wormed. It is the best, getting all chicken worms. Are the combs purple or just pale? Purple combs can mean serious disease, but pale combs can mean molt, mites, or anemia. Here are 2 great mite and lice sites with pictures: http://ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018.html
http://anrcatalog.ucdavis.edu/pdf/8162.pdf