Roosters comb is a bit purple...why?

[RockyToggRanch]

I have 8 buff orps who are 19 weeks old. 4 of them are definately roos and 1 is questionable. But anyway, tonight I noticed that one of the cockerals has purple tips on his comb. They have not been exposed to cold. What could cause that?

 

[scbatz33]

according to "Keeping Poultry" - "Purple comb when normally bright red is a sign of heart failure,nitrate poisoning caused by age,disease or deformity."

 

[RockyToggRanch]

jeeze, that narrows it down

He's only 19 weeks so age issues are out. I wondered if he could have gotten into some weeds that were bad or something. I should call him Jimmy...or Hendrix. (Purple....weeds)

anyway..could he be lacking something nutritionally?

 

[sammi]

what all do you feed?

some seeds can effect color of comb..

is the comb cold?
does the head seem darkened?or pale?
do the legs seem pale?
check scales on legs for raised scales or crust..
ever been wormed?
treated for mites/lice?

describe the droppings..color and consistency..

check eyes for swelling, bubbling or mucus..mucus from beak
check for wheezing..

 

[rodriguezpoultry]

Purple comb is simply a lack of oxygen reaching that area.

It happens if the birds are stressed (cold, lack of feed, overexertion, etc.).

If it's just the tips, I would not worry, but if the entire comb becomes purple as well as the face and wattles...be prepared.

When the bird decreases the blood flow to the extremities, the comb loses the bright red color. The deeper purple, the less bloodflow is reaching that area.

 

[RockyToggRanch]

He seems perfectly healthy otherwise, but I'll watch him more closely today for other symptoms.