What is wrong with their comb?

[Hopey17]

I am fairly new to raising chickens(7 months). All was going well, until I started seeing a few hens with little white spots on their combs.There combs seemed a bit dry, as well. My beautiful Whiting True Green had some white patches too, not just tiny spots.I researched and geesh, there are at least half a dozen 'potential' different things they say it could be . My chickens are spoiled and much loved, they get lots of herbs,and fresh fruits and veggies along with their crumble and scratch. We just had an extremely bitter cold Feb(record lows). I read a possibility could be mites or lice, so I rubbed a little DE on them, in coop corners, roost and nesting boxes. My poor girl died in my arms this past weekend. Non of the vets seem to treat chickens much.I had a sample run from the flock and it came back negative for parasites. I still have a few chickens with white spots on their combs and a bit pale. I'd hate to lose another chicken. I never knew how much I'd enjoy/love these gals (and our Bielefelder rooster), but I do. They run over to me when I visit them(with or without treats). Many vie for a place on my lap when I sit with them. My sweet hen, Charity, went down very quickly, so I am wondering what my next step should be in order to not lose another chicken from this mystery cause of death? Thanks in advance.

 

[Aapomp831]

Can you post a picture of the combs? Usually it’s just dry skin and a touch of frostbite, but you’re saying dots which makes me think of fowl pox. But pics are needed....

 

[Hopey17]

Can you post a picture of the combs? Usually it’s just dry skin and a touch of frostbite, but you’re saying dots which makes me think of fowl pox. But pics are needed....

Thanks! I will take a couple of pics when I bring them breakfast in a little while.

 

[Acre4Me]

Sorry about the loss of your chicken!

pics will be helpful, include whole body shots, from the side while they are standing. Also shots of comb and their head and neck under good lighting.

My chickens are spoiled and much loved, they get lots of herbs,and fresh fruits and veggies along with their crumble and scratch.

it could be malnutrition if their treats exceed much more than 10% of their diet. Crumble/pellets are nutritionally complete - so any treats dilute the nutrition, including protein content. An adult chicken needs around 1/4- 1/3 cup of feed a day, and a minimum of 15-16% protein. So 10% treats i less than a tablespoon. Of course, sometimes we ALL give our chickens more than that now and again, but treats should not be a significant part of their diet. Scratch is like junk food for chickens snd they will pick out their favorites to eat.

read a possibility could be mites or lice, so I rubbed a little DE on them, in coop corners, roost and nesting boxes.

DE works on some pests, but it isn’t as effective as other treatments. It is harmful to human respiratory systems over time. DE is not useful for pest control if wet. Lice and mites lay their eggs preferentially near the vents. So, if you see eggs attached to the base of the feather shafts, you have a problem. Also check their leg scales and see if they are lifted slightly bc there is a type of mite that infests the leg scales. So, you can suffocate the leg mites by applying vasoline to the legs.

Also, sometimes chickens die from an internal issue we are not aware of.

 

[Hopey17]

Sorry about the loss of your chicken!

pics will be helpful, include whole body shots, from the side while they are standing. Also shots of comb and their head and neck under good lighting.



it could be malnutrition if their treats exceed much more than 10% of their diet. Crumble/pellets are nutritionally complete - so any treats dilute the nutrition, including protein content. An adult chicken needs around 1/4- 1/3 cup of feed a day, and a minimum of 15-16% protein. So 10% treats i less than a tablespoon. Of course, sometimes we ALL give our chickens more than that now and again, but treats should not be a significant part of their diet. Scratch is like junk food for chickens snd they will pick out their favorites to eat.



DE works on some pests, but it isn’t as effective as other treatments. It is harmful to human respiratory systems over time. DE is not useful for pest control if wet. Lice and mites lay their eggs preferentially near the vents. So, if you see eggs attached to the base of the feather shafts, you have a problem. Also check their leg scales and see if they are lifted slightly bc there is a type of mite that infests the leg scales. So, you can suffocate the leg mites by applying vasoline to the legs.

Also, sometimes chickens die from an internal issue we are not aware of.

Thanks!Maybe their greens and fruits do exceed their crumble, but they don't tend to get excited about their boring crumble. We have our rooster with the hens, so we don't feed layer feed or pellets with the higher calcium, but were told to use an all flock crumble/ pellet or chick crumble and provide oyster shell, or some of their own eggshells dried and crumbled free choice...which we do. I try to spruce up their crumble with herbs or an occasional light drizzle of blackstrap molasses, but it barely entices them. Can anyone recommend a crumble/pellet brand that their chickens enjoy? They just go nuts for kale, spinach, collard greens etc...I hate to think malnutrition is the cause and it is my own doing.

 

[Acre4Me]

Add water. Make it into a batter consistency. Sprinkle tidbits on top. Voila!! A “treat” of crumble.

Seriously, they act like you’ve given them the best thing EVER!


works for me! I use wet feed if we have a sick chicken. Also in deep winter to entice them to really eat and drink (as it contains water), and especially in the summer bc I’ll add ice cubes (pushed into the already wet feed) so it melts snd adds more water. So, I don’t feed this to the year round, but at certain periods.

 

[Acre4Me]

For “crumble” I use Kalmbach brand “Henhouse Reserve” feed. It is a complete feed but is made to look like crumble. I use it as a “treat” but it is complete feed. I sprinkle this in top of wet feed too. So, I’ll guess other feed companies have something similar, so look around. But, I don’t buy regular scratch anymore. To minimize waste (and limit the leftover tidbits for rodents) I pour most of the “scratch” into a wide metal feed pan. I scatter a little bit on the ground for them to peck and scratch at.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks!Maybe their greens and fruits do exceed their crumble, but they don't tend to get excited about their boring crumble. We have our rooster with the hens, so we don't feed layer feed or pellets with the higher calcium, but were told to use an all flock crumble/ pellet or chick crumble and provide oyster shell, or some of their own eggshells dried and crumbled free choice...which we do. I try to spruce up their crumble with herbs or an occasional light drizzle of blackstrap molasses, but it barely entices them. Can anyone recommend a crumble/pellet brand that their chickens enjoy? They just go nuts for kale, spinach, collard greens etc...I hate to think malnutrition is the cause and it is my own doing.

An all flock/flock raiser type feed is sufficient. I wouldn't mix molasses in, that can cause some loose stools.
You could make a mash out of their feed if you wish. Just soak the feed in some water.
Offer oyster shell free choice. Egg shells can be fed back too, but personally, I provide OS since all flock doesn't contain much calcium.
Too many greens could inhibit calcium intake, so give them a variety of treats. Mine like greens too, but I switch up with a very small amount of scratch, fruits, etc. If the birds are confined, then their feed should really be what they are eating 90% of the time.

Photos of your concerns would be good.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

For “crumble” I use Kalmbach brand “Henhouse Reserve” feed. It is a complete feed but is made to look like crumble. I use it as a “treat” but it is complete feed. I sprinkle this in top of wet feed too. So, I’ll guess other feed companies have something similar, so look around. But, I don’t buy regular scratch anymore. To minimize waste (and limit the leftover tidbits for rodents) I pour most of the “scratch” into a wide metal feed pan. I scatter a little bit on the ground for them to peck and scratch at.

For a loose feed like that I wouldn't provide scratch either

 

[Acre4Me]

For a loose feed like that I would provide scratch either

Yup! That’s why we just buy that feed and keep it as a treat. Their main feed is a 20% flock raiser/all flock pelleted feed.