losing color in beak & comb

[brigitte]

One of my hens is losing color in comb & face, very weak. Anyone know what could be wrong ? Approx. 1 year old star hen. Others seem fine.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

The de-coloration means she isn't getting oxygen.

Are you sure she has no other symptoms?


No coughing/sneezing/diarrhea, not eating, not drinking, etc?

 

[brigitte]

No weezing or coughing, At first thought the white comb was frost bite until her face started losing color. had to help her up the step to the coop today, she couldnt jump 4"

 

[brigitte]

Shes also eating and drinking. just seems to be getting very weak.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

If you havent already, IMMEDIATELY get her away from the rest of the flock and into quarantine. She is also probably being picked on by the rest of the flock as she is so weak.


This sounds like cardiac or respiratory problems to me. I'm hoenstly not sure how to go about treatment or diagnosis....I hope somebody knowledgeable can help.

 

[ChickenWisperer]

Is anything lodged in her airway?

 

[Kittymomma]

Have you ruled out lice/mites and worms? Parasites can take it out of them with a quickness. Seperate her, preferably inside where she doesn't have use extra energy to keep warm--a large dog crate works well for this. I'd also give her some scrambled eggs for a quick protien boost and water with electrolytes or some poly-visol (no iron) if you have it handy. Give her a really thorough going over and check for wounds (can be hard to see under feathers) possible egg binding as well as mites/lice. Another advantage to seperating her is you will be able to see if her droppings are normal, you can tell a lot about what is going on with them by their droppings.

 

[brigitte]

doesnt seem to be getting picked on as of yet. Will seperate her first thing tomorrow.

 

[brigitte]

thanks for the advice

 

[Kittymomma]

I forgot...