Pale comb and wattle, hasn't laid an egg in a month

[cobalt017]

At first we thought maybe she was molting when she stopped laying eggs but it's been a long time now and she looks just as feathered as before (plus we live in California, it's still quite warm). Recently we noticed her comb and wattle are pale. Our other 3 chickens (all a little over 1 year old) are all ok. What could be wrong?

 

[RainbowHen]

At first we thought maybe she was molting when she stopped laying eggs but it's been a long time now and she looks just as feathered as before (plus we live in California, it's still quite warm). Recently we noticed her comb and wattle are pale. Our other 3 chickens (all a little over 1 year old) are all ok. What could be wrong?

If you feel between her legs is there any egg shaped lumps you can feel in her abdomen? Any discharge from her vent? What do her poops look like? What do you feed?

 

[Eggcessive]

Also, consider that she still may be molting. Some will take longer, and they may not show as much feather loss at one time, except maybe loss of tail feathers. Some hens who molt in the fall may take a break until the first of the year before resuming. My older hens do that. But since she is in her first year, she should start laying sooner. Watch to see if she is eating and drinking well.

Look her body over for mites or lice, and some mites only come on late at night, so checking in the dark with a headlamp whicle she is on the roost may help. Mites will suck blood making them pale and anemic. There should be mite dirt or specks on brown on her skin if she has those. This might be a good time to worm her and the others with Valbazen 1/2 ml orally and then repeat it in 10 days. Shake it well before drawing up the liquid suspension. Don’t eat her eggs until 14 days until after Valbazen.

 

[cobalt017]

Just checked, no lumps in abdomen between legs, no discharge, pooping normally. Feed is Radco poultry feed pellets. The bag doesn't really say much. We supplement with rooster booster, oyster shell, and grit.

 

[RainbowHen]

Is she eating and drinking ok?

 

[cobalt017]

Is she eating and drinking ok?

Yep haven't noticed any change in her regular habits like eating, drinking, pooping. It's been a month since she stopped laying and looks about the same other than the pale comb and wattle.

 

[black_cat]

Yep haven't noticed any change in her regular habits like eating, drinking, pooping. It's been a month since she stopped laying and looks about the same other than the pale comb and wattle.

Have the days been getting shorter? Do you provide supplemental light in your coop?

 

[cobalt017]

Have the days been getting shorter? Do you provide supplemental light in your coop?

A little bit, we live in the northern hemisphere near San Francisco. Sun rise is at 7:20am and sets at 6:30pm. There's no supplemental light.

 

[cobalt017]

Also, consider that she still may be molting. Some will take longer, and they may not show as much feather loss at one time, except maybe loss of tail feathers. Some hens who molt in the fall may take a break until the first of the year before resuming. My older hens do that. But since she is in her first year, she should start laying sooner. Watch to see if she is eating and drinking well.

Look her body over for mites or lice, and some mites only come on late at night, so checking in the dark with a headlamp whicle she is on the roost may help. Mites will suck blood making them pale and anemic. There should be mite dirt or specks on brown on her skin if she has those. This might be a good time to worm her and the others with Valbazen 1/2 ml orally and then repeat it in 10 days. Shake it well before drawing up the liquid suspension. Don’t eat her eggs until 14 days until after Valbazen.

Does it happen that only one chicken out of the flock starts molting, while the others are all laying and looking normal? Also, we live in a mild climate -- does molting still happen if it's reasonably warm? (80F days, 50F nights)

Thanks for the tip about mites, will check tonight in the dark.

 

[cobalt017]

Also, consider that she still may be molting. Some will take longer, and they may not show as much feather loss at one time, except maybe loss of tail feathers. Some hens who molt in the fall may take a break until the first of the year before resuming. My older hens do that. But since she is in her first year, she should start laying sooner. Watch to see if she is eating and drinking well.

Look her body over for mites or lice, and some mites only come on late at night, so checking in the dark with a headlamp whicle she is on the roost may help. Mites will suck blood making them pale and anemic. There should be mite dirt or specks on brown on her skin if she has those. This might be a good time to worm her and the others with Valbazen 1/2 ml orally and then repeat it in 10 days. Shake it well before drawing up the liquid suspension. Don’t eat her eggs until 14 days until after Valbazen.

Does Valbazen help with mites too, or only worms? Can worms cause anemia?