Need Advice!! Floppy Comb & Poopy Butt (3yr old New Hampshire Red)

[TriciaChickens]

Hi all,

Meet Lucy, my NHR. She is a mystery and I need some advice...

First 1 yr ago she stopped laying eggs. No change in behavior and have checked her for typical worms, lice, mites, etc. No obvious health issues. And I feed them S&P layer. The other chicken (same age) is laying.

And about 3 months ago, she developed a consistent poppy butt. I cleaned her and cut back the feathers around the vent. Continue to treat periodically for lice/mites with DE and Permethin powder. The dust bath area has wood ash, sand and some DE also.

Then yesterday I noticed that her comb was floppy.

In all this time, she hasn't shown any sick chicken behavior. She eats and drinks well. Socializes with the other chicken, follows me around, etc.

I have no idea what of these things are related or not. And what else could I do.... Any thoughts/ advice?

Thank you!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

1 yr ago she stopped laying eggs. No change in behavior and have checked her for typical worms, lice, mites, etc. No obvious health issues

3 months ago, she developed a consistent poppy butt

yesterday I noticed that her comb was floppy.

she hasn't shown any sick chicken behavior. She eats and drinks well. Socializes with the other chicken, follows me around, etc.

Her comb looks a bit puffy, does it feel swollen?
A photo of her poop?
Her not laying eggs, does she have any swelling/bloat or fluid in the abdomen? Sometimes if they have a reproductive problem (she's not laid eggs in a year) the abdomen can become distended and droppings don't fall far enough and make a messy bottom.

If she's eating/drinking, active and social, I would go into monitoring mode like you have been doing. Checking for lice/mites, make sure the crop is empty in the mornings, consider getting a fecal float to check for worms.

I have a few New Hampshire hens, 1 has a large floppy comb, she's a hatchery bird so as she gets older the comb gets a little bigger and flops over more. The other hatchery one has a shorter/neater comb so not much flop there. The 2 heritage ones, have quite a short straight comb so no flop. I think Lucy's comb is just that way.

 

[TriciaChickens]

Her comb looks a bit puffy, does it feel swollen?
A photo of her poop?
Her not laying eggs, does she have any swelling/bloat or fluid in the abdomen? Sometimes if they have a reproductive problem (she's not laid eggs in a year) the abdomen can become distended and droppings don't fall far enough and make a messy bottom.

If she's eating/drinking, active and social, I would go into monitoring mode like you have been doing. Checking for lice/mites, make sure the crop is empty in the mornings, consider getting a fecal float to check for worms.

I have a few New Hampshire hens, 1 has a large floppy comb, she's a hatchery bird so as she gets older the comb gets a little bigger and flops over more. The other hatchery one has a shorter/neater comb so not much flop there. The 2 heritage ones, have quite a short straight comb so no flop. I think Lucy's comb is just that way.[/QUOTE

Her comb looks a bit puffy, does it feel swollen?
A photo of her poop?
Her not laying eggs, does she have any swelling/bloat or fluid in the abdomen? Sometimes if they have a reproductive problem (she's not laid eggs in a year) the abdomen can become distended and droppings don't fall far enough and make a messy bottom.

If she's eating/drinking, active and social, I would go into monitoring mode like you have been doing. Checking for lice/mites, make sure the crop is empty in the mornings, consider getting a fecal float to check for worms.

I have a few New Hampshire hens, 1 has a large floppy comb, she's a hatchery bird so as she gets older the comb gets a little bigger and flops over more. The other hatchery one has a shorter/neater comb so not much flop there. The 2 heritage ones, have quite a short straight comb so no flop. I think Lucy's comb is just that way.

Thank you for your note. I will check if her comb is puffy. And hang around to get a picture of her poop. Getting it tested is a good idea. And interesting about the reproductive issues/distended stomach. Stay tuned!

 

[TriciaChickens]

Thank you for your help. I will look at her comb more and hang around for a picture of her poop. Getting it tested is a good idea. And interesting about the repro issues and distended stomach. Again, thank you so much for your reply!