Pullet with Blue-ish Comb

[Itzbandit]

Hi All! New to chickens as of this year. Just started our flock this spring. Recently adopted a Blue Andalusian who needed a home. Overall, healthy looking bird but something going on with the comb. Almost blueish/blackish at the tips. Previously owner had her with all other healthy looking birds, said she’s had this since the spring. She’s fully quarantined right now but trying to figure out what might going on. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[azygous]

I'm assuming you're concerned about those dark tips on the comb. Do the tips return to the same color as the rest of the comb, appearing and disappearing?

If so, this is normal for a large comb. The blood flow to the comb can slow down from time to time according to what the chicken is doing, feeling, and their stress level. You need to be concerned when the entire comb is a dusky grey or purple.

Also, you need to include behavior when trying to determine if a chicken is sick. A sick chicken will lose interest in eating and won't want to interact with the flock, preferring to remain mute and inactive on the sidelines, often with the tail held low and flat.

Absent any change in behavior, there isn't likely anything wrong with your new bird.

 

[Itzbandit]

Hi, yes, the tips are what I am questioning. We have had her 24 hours and at this point they seem to be consistently there. Checked her for lice and mites before we got her. She is clean. Loves to be held. First thing she did when we got her home was she ate. Can’t really touch upon flock interaction with her being separated for now. Overall she seems to be in good spirits but I know the typical rule of thumb is red comb is a healthy comb.

 

[azygous]

Try not to worry about it. I have roosters with large combs and periodically, the tips become dark, then disappear a little later on. They are both normal and healthy.

Your new girl is likely enduring stress related to adjusting to new surroundings. Continue to give her a comforting bonding experience, and she should be fine.

 

[townchicks]

Maybe it is my computer, but I don't really see the darker part. However, since it doesn't go away, and the previous owner says it was there in the spring, could it possibly be a mild frostbite? I have no experience with that, as we don't get that cold here, but it could be that the blood flow is compromised due to damage, w/o being so damaged that the tissue died. Just a thought.