Not emergency, part of comb is flopped over

[thecarmiearmy]

Hi everyone! So I was reading about how floppy combs can mean lack of hydration. But...what if it's only a small section of the comb? Courage is acting fine and my roommate said she had a very wet morning poop, so maybe she's just recovering from that? Lol!!!

 

[benjaminzygs]

Refer to this https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/floppy-comb.772816/

 

[EggSighted4Life]

So I was reading about how floppy combs can mean lack of hydration. But...what if it's only a small section of the comb?

That's genetic variation really.

Some breed standards allow for the hens comb to flop all the way over.

According to your description of dropping and behavior.. also the photo, She's not likely suffering from dehydration. Her comb is still bright red. How old, what breed?

 

[thecarmiearmy]

That's genetic variation really.

Some breed standards allow for the hens comb to flop all the way over.

According to your description of dropping and behavior.. also the photo, She's not likely suffering from dehydration. Her comb is still bright red. How old, what breed?

That's the confusing part. If it was genetic, would it have showed earlier? Her slightly drooped comb is totally new, as of yesterday. Oh, she IS going through her first year molt, maybe that's contributing? She's about 1 year and a half old. Lavendar Orpington.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Her slightly drooped comb is totally new, as of yesterday. Oh, she IS going through her first year molt, maybe that's contributing?

Well, it's possible then since combs are heavily hormone related.. even the internal reproductive system may shrink up to 30% contributing to the weight loss.

It signifies virility and vitality to the opposite gender.. Partly by color but also with plumpness.. so it wouldn't surprise me if there are subtler clues. Do you have a before photo to show the difference?

As long as she's acting okay.. just keep your eyes open for further clues that indicate action is needed. She doesn't have anything alarming that I can identify as of yet.. Great job noticing changes!

ETA: even genetic changes DO take place with age, after some thought.

 

[thecarmiearmy]

Hey y'all! Turns out Courage has sour crop. I started massaging her today and I'm gonna quarantine her in the chicken run, after I clean it out to make sure she can't snack on any stray feed or grass.

 

[thecarmiearmy]

Hi everyone! So I was reading about how floppy combs can mean lack of hydration. But...what if it's only a small section of the comb? Courage is acting fine and my roommate said she had a very wet morning poop, so maybe she's just recovering from that? Lol!!!
View attachment 2390665

Hello all! This thread can be closed, deleted or archived. Courage was leaking liquid from the break from the sour crop. My roommate helped her vomit and she looks a lot happier now! Her crop is now down to the size of a golf ball, vs when it was the size of a soft ball.