Pale Comb PICTURE INCLUDED

[chickbuddy]

I have a 1 yr old Barred Rock Hen that has been having a pale comb for the last couple of weeks. My other hens look fine and have radiant energy, But are much younger than her too. I'm thinking she is just tired from this intense weather (It has been around 100 everyday) What could be the problem?

Thank you.

 

[Judy]

You can start by answering the questions in the sticky at the top of this forum:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=3569

Then maybe we can help you sort this out.

 

[chickbuddy]

She's 1 year old, her behavior is dominant, she is at the top of pecking order. Her energy level is normal.

She did have a cut on her comb weeks ago, but she is completely healed, as you can tell by the picture.

She eats organic layer pellets

Her feces is normal (thick, round, not runny)

She free ranges all day.

 

[LynneP]

A pale comb might be indicative of lower blood pressure than normal which in turn has many possible causes. Are her vent and crop normal? She is laying, right? Watch her closely. Might be a reaction to heat (dehydration). You can check by gently pinching the comb or a wattle. If they do not return to shape as quickly as the normal hens, she may need a fluid boost.

(She is a very pretty bird...)

 

[purpletree23]

Have her eyes always been this droopy?

 

[Chicky Tocks]

Has she been broody lately? I have two BO's that went broody and hatched and are now raising two chicks that are now two weeks old. Their combs are still pale and not yet back to the red of the rest of the flock. They're not laying yet either.

A broody hen will lose color in her comb.

 

[chickbuddy]

Her eyes have always looked like that. She is laying regularly, and not broody. I have a feeling its dehydration. It has been in the 100s.

The soil is very arid and I don't think she is getting enough protein from the depleted bug supply. Should I give her something else for that? cat food? dog food? She has plenty of water to drink. What could we do so she is hydrated?

 

[Eggs4Sale]

I've heard of people on here giving the hens gatorade when they're dehydrated. I just bought a packet of Vi-tal from the feed store. It says it's "A water, vitamin, electrolyte, and mineral supplement." It claims to stimulate water consumption.

I've never personally had experience with this. On the blue bar at the top is the word 'search'. Press that, and type in 'dehydration'. Hope your hen gets better.

 

[kathyinmo]

Try Enfamil (brand) Poly-Visol vitamins, 2 drops in her beak each day for a week. Then, for a week, every other day. For added protein, give mashed up boiled egg yolk and yogurt ... about a teaspoon or two each day.

 

[threehorses]

You could also try giving her electrolytes. If you do so, try to buy the straight electrolyte solution rather than with vitamins. Then let them have their usual waterer filled with plain water, and then an additional waterer right next to it with the electrolyte water. That way they have a choice.