sick chicken! help

[ChickenMorals]

I work with the chickens at my school. Today, I noticed that a hen has a nearly violet colored comb, is lethargic, and when she got picked up, a ton of drool came out of her beak. These symptoms seem to have appeared suddenly, what could be the cause? I'll attach a picture of her ASAP

 

[ChickenCanoe]

A purplish comb could be paratyphoid or possibly spirochaetosis.

I'm not saying that's what it is, just a couple of the possibilities.
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/publications/6/diseases-of-poultry/180/paratyphoid-infections/
http://www.thepoultrysite.com/diseaseinfo/140/spirochaetosis/

 

[Eggcessive]

It sounds a bit like she may be dying. How old is she? A dark comb can happen when one is not getting enough oxygen into the blood, or from heart failure. Can you feel of her crop, where the food and water are stored in her right upper chest? Is it full or puffy, or is it empty where you cannot feel it? Will she drink water when you hold a small cup to her beak? Is she warm enough? Has she eaten or drunk anything today?

 

[ChickenMorals]

She is only two years old. I will check the rest of these things as soon as I can.

 

[Eggcessive]

Chickens can become ill from many diseases. Unless they show symptoms, it can be hard to diagnose one without a necropsy after death. Look at her eyes for foam or bubbles, swelling around an eye, feel inside her vent with a finger (wear a glove) for a stuck egg, check the crop, look for diarrhea or droppings that look different, check skin for mites and lice, feel of her breast bone and her weight by picking her up for any weight loss, and if she will eat or drink (drinking is more important now.) Electrolytes added to the water would be helpful. Getting her warm during this time may help, since sick chickens cannot control their body temperatures. Here is a good link about common diseases:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/ps044

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Here's your state poultry lab.
https://www.vdl.umn.edu/
Be ready to send the bird in case she dies. Or better yet, if she is really in bad shape, you could take her there for humane euthanasia, necropsy and lab work to find out what your flock is dealing with - and put her out of her misery.