This might be nothing but...

[alexis187]

Today I was working outside with my girls, and noticed that one of them had a verrrry pale comb. (She was in the shade, but then when she stepped out into the sun her comb looked rosy again). She and others have had very watery poops, but I just thought this was because it has been pretty hot recently and they have been drinking a lot of water. Could I have misread the signs? Could my birds possibly be sick? Egg laying and appetites are normal, and they look fine otherwise...

 

[Ebony Rose]

Heat will cause watery poop, but cocci overload or other parasitic infestation can too. When did you last treat for cocci? When did you last deworm them? If it's been over six months on either, you might consider if prophylactically (or otherwise) treating them for these conditions is right for your animal husbandry protocols.

 

[KaseySnow]

I would just keep watching them for now, you may be right that it's just the heat. If they stop eating/drinking or start behaving oddly, maybe then have concern. Check their crop, feel their keel to see if they have weight on them (you shouldn't feel bone), look them over for parasites, etc.

If you are worried about runny poops, you could always get a fecal test done by a vet lab for relatively cheap (usually just $10-$20). They could check for worm eggs and a couple of other possible sicknesses for you.

 

[The chicken girl 555]

Hello,
I found this online...

"Why is my chickens comb pale?
Combs that are pale or shrunken may indicate that something is wrong with your bird. It may mean she is anemic (think lice and mites), is overloaded with worms, has heat exhaustion or is molting."

But that doesnt explain why they turn rosy in the sun again, if they are having dieriyah i suggest you put one-half tablespoon of Epsom salt in there food and that should stop the direyah!!
Have a great day!

 

[Ebony Rose]

I nearly always forget about vets as I live in Panama, and in honesty, they don't think chickens are worthy enough to treat. I think they are... so I'm forced to act as both human momma and nurse.
My rule of thumb is eliminate the easy stuff first (parasitic overload) as they're cheap to treat, easy to treat and don't cause harm if treated prophylactically (when not absolutely necessary). If after treating for these conditions the problem persists, then I discuss it with our local animal experts... the guy at the feed store! Here in Panama, these guys are VERY WELL VERSED in a wide variety of livestock, their diseases and treatments.

 

[Ebony Rose]

Please don't put epsom salt in their water and have them ingest it. It will cause them to poop to such a degree that they'll likely become dehydrated from the diarrhea that it will cause!
I do agree that heart conditions can cause a pale comb, especially in a resting bird, and perk up with color again once a bird is up and moving again (exercising), but a trick of light and shadows can also make you see what you didn't see.

 

[KaseySnow]

Yeah, I wasn't sure, but ingesting epsom salts didn't seem like a diarrhea fix. Thanks for clarifying @Ebony Rose .

The only thing I've heard of that can help diarrhea (if it is not caused by some underlying condition) is rebalancing the gut bacteria with some probiotics and feeding the hen some Moro's Carrot Soup.

If that doesn't stop the diarrhea then it is likely being caused by something other than the usual gut issues.

 

[alexis187]

Thanks everyone for all the advice!! I’ve actually never treated for worms because I’ve never had an issue with that before, so maybe I should look into that...any specific medicines I should use to deworm? Maybe something that won’t break the bank if possible haha...

 

[Ebony Rose]

Ask at your feed store as different countries and even different areas of a country can have different products available. Be advised that Corid (amprolium) will treat cocci, and that this parasite treatment is TOTALLY different medication than for treating other parasites and worms but you CAN (and should) treat with both medications at the same time as they function in totally differing ways as well. Worming medication is NOT going to break your bank, it tends to be really cheap and easy to use.