Purply/Black Comb, Wattles and Beak

[Omelette]

There has been a sudden change in this 3 year old hen. Her comb, wattles, beak and feet have purply black discoloration. Has anyone seen this before?

She may have also lost feathers, as the colour is much lighter now.

Thank you!

 

[dawg53]

I recommend you inspect her closely for lice/mtes. Check her vent area and under her wings.

 

[BrattishTaz]

It looks like anemia. I agree with the very wise dawg53, check for mites/lice.

Treat the bugs and up the protein in her diet for a while.

 

[seminolewind]

She looks like she's dying of cardiac failure, mine did that too last year. I hope it's not, but blue is not a good color, and it would not mean anemia from mites. Anemia from mites would be pale comb and wattles. She has plenty of blood , but it's not oxygenating well enough.
Sorry

 

[dawg53]

Quote:
That was on my mind as well but I figured I start with the basics first.

 

[seminolewind]

Quote:
That was on my mind as well but I figured I start with the basics first.

I know what you mean, I try to start simple too!

 

[Omelette]

Thank you for the replies.

There has been some improvement. The legs are not bluish any more, and the comb has improved dramatically. Just the edge looks 'off.'

She has diarrhea. It is whitish in colour and is sticking to her bum feathers (that's my medical term

.

I've given her keffir, which she seemed to enjoy.

I'm not exactly how and what to look for on her.

Thanks!

 

[Miss Lydia]

poop chart: http://www.chat.allotment.org.uk/index.phptopic=17568.0




worming chart: http://www.healthybirds.umd.edu/disease/deworming%20birds.pdf

lice/mites http://www.ohioline.osu.edu/vme-fact/0018html

 

[Omelette]

Thank you for the links. Im not sure where to find the poop chart in the first link.

She's still hanging in there. I dont see her eating much, yet she still has her weight.

How do you know if it is worms vs mites?

Is there a natural way to treat?

Thank you!

 

[seminolewind]

Omelette, if it were worms or mites, her comb would be very pale , symptomatic of not enough blood.
Since her comb and wattles are dark red, purple, black, the symptoms show that she has enough blood but it is not being oxygenated good enough. This can be caused by 2 main things. Not enough healthy lung tissue to oxygenated her blood, or the heart not pumping strong enough or fast enough to push the blood thru to the tissues fast enough to keep them red.

Think of it this way. If you choke someone by the neck, you slow their circulation to their head and their face turns purple.
If you have anemia (not enough blood) because something is sucking the blood out or you are bleeding out, you will get pale.

Worming and parasite control won't help.