Purple combs?

[TheGoldenGirlz]

Not sure about the purple ...could be, may be a sign of circulation problems.
But I also remember reading that it can be 'normal'.
As long as they are eating/drinking/pooping and moving around OK I'd not worry.

Didn't think Orps had such large combs, are you sure they are not a mix?

They are from TSC, so not the best quality of bird. They all have speckles in their tail feathers too

 

[TheGoldenGirlz]

I don't think it is normal. I think there is something wrong.
I've had 3 cocks in the past whose combs went purple; they all died.
I took one to a vet, with a shit sample and the vet thought it could be heart, or liver problems, but no obvious disease. It took a couple of months for this one to die. He was active and seemingly healthy right up to his last few days.
Another was fine in the morning, comb bright, active and eating. That evening his comb went purple and limp at the top. The next morning I found him dead on the coop floor.
I've read, that too much calcium in their diet may be the cause; I've also read that this is unlikely.
I've read that it's a genetic weakness affecting internal organs but nobody seemed to know what to do.
Since then I have learnt that nirate poisoning is one cause and can be treated with methlyene.
If it's the heart, there are treatments ACE inhibitors. You will need to look on the web.
.The problem is getting a correct diagnosis.
I hope you can find better answers. Good luck

I’ll try and find a local vet. Thanks for the information!

 

[Mrs. K]

Yes, that is what I have noticed too, fine and active, then a quick death. I was always told it was a heart defect, and they have a heart attack. I would never treat such a bird. While they are good, they are fine, and it is a quick end. I would try and not hatch her eggs.

I think that treatment might just prolong it. To each his own. Sometimes I think people on here have an unrealistic hope for very long lived birds. Most hatchery birds on average live about 3 years. Before you disagree with me, remember average will have many birds that don't live that long, and many birds that live longer.

So yes, I think something is wrong, no I don't think you can do anything about it, nor should try. Give the bird good food and water and enough space and that is enough.

Mrs K

 

[TheGoldenGirlz]

Yes, that is what I have noticed too, fine and active, then a quick death. I was always told it was a heart defect, and they have a heart attack. I would never treat such a bird. While they are good, they are fine, and it is a quick end. I would try and not hatch her eggs.

I think that treatment might just prolong it. To each his own. Sometimes I think people on here have an unrealistic hope for very long lived birds. Most hatchery birds on average live about 3 years. Before you disagree with me, remember average will have many birds that don't live that long, and many birds that live longer.

So yes, I think something is wrong, no I don't think you can do anything about it, nor should try. Give the bird good food and water and enough space and that is enough.

Mrs K

Alrighty, I’ll just love her while I can

 

[MilesFluffybutt]

I unexpectedly lost one Faverolle roo whose comb started turning purple from back to front. I thought it was a circulation issue so I didn't pay much attention to it. However, now I'm more inclined to believe it's a sign of a larger health problem.

That particular roo was being treated for a facial infection and for a minor case of Bumblefoot so he wasn't in the best of health to start with. When he passed, he screamed, convulsed once or twice, went stiff and died. Probably a heart attack.

That morning something with him was off - he was lethargic, standing on one foot, droopy head, very quiet - but the days before that, he was his normal self. I probably spent $1,200 at the chicken specialist and on medications trying to get him back into shape. He was my alpha roo in my rooster flock. He kept the peace. Loved that bird to pieces.

You can do everything right, but still lose them. It's a hard lesson to learn, but @Mrs. K is right. We have to let go of our 'pet expectations' because a chicken is not a dog or a cat, now matter how much we want them to be.

 

[Folly's place]

Managing illnesses in birds is difficult, in part, because as everyone already stated, it's hard to get a diagnosis in the first place. It would take an avian veterinarian, who might be far away, and only have experience with 'house birds' like parrots.
Heart problems, ascites from liver issues, or reproductive disasters can all occur, even at a young age.
Go for it if you must, or enjoy your birds when they are healthy, and realize that 'long life' is hard for chickens.
I've had three hens live to age ten. One pullet had an overwhelming uterine infection at five months of age. And everything in between. Right now my oldest hens are four; the one five year old died this spring.
Mary

 

[aart]

Heart problems, ascites from liver issues, or reproductive disasters can all occur, even at a young age.

Ascites can occur with any organ failure/disease.

 

[Shadrach]

I'm not doing so badly then.
I've got two nine year old hens, one six and a few at four and five.

 

[TheGoldenGirlz]

They are happy and healthy right now so I’m hoping I get some more time with them. Their combs have been bright red for an entire day now. Thank you for all the comments, I will be able to handle it better if I walk outside one day and they’re dead