What's wrong with my hens comb?

[weenie007]

One of my rhode island red combs has lost it's color and is flopping over. I just got her 4 days ago, she came like that. 4 out 10 of my hens I got a couple days ago comb have lost their color but they aren't flopping over. I thought maybe the color lost was do to the fact that they were molting and not laying. Can anyone give me any insight. Thanks!

 

[ella]

It could very well just be that she's not laying.

If you just got them it's a good time to do some supportive therapy to help them out. I would worm them and put them on some probiotics, yogurt or otherwise. I use a powdered kind that I really like. http://www.probios.com/ you can find it or something similar at most feed or pet stores.

It's a good idea to check out the general condition too, if you haven't already. Feel the crop morning and evening, make sure it's empty in the morning and full at night. Feel the keel make sure she's keeping some weight on and the abdomen to make sure it's not abnormally full of fluid. If everything checks out she's probably fine, just not laying.

 

[chickiebaby]

Sometimes a more varied diet will help, too. You dont mentionw hat she's eating but if she's not free ranging adding some greens and such would be a really good idea. You can just go ahead and throw in your veggie scraps imo. And yogurt, as the above poster mentioned,

 

[henry3]

I have a chicken with a comb that's turning purple! I would rather have your problem, i think!!

 

[keljonma]

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Could be a sign of dehydration. You may want to keep an eye on her to make sure she is drinking clean fresh water. Personally, I'd add some vitamins/electrolytes and some yogurt to her diet.

 

[weenie007]

I am feeding them vitamins and electrolites in their water. But no yogurt yet. Would they have it the grocery store? I actually think that she is the lowest on the pecking order. Everynight she is the only one that sleeps in a nesting box while everyone else is on the roost. She seems to be doing fine. I know her poo looks good because I see it in the box after she wakes up. She is actually the friendliest out of all the chickens. She is the only one that will let me pick her up. An she is the only one I have named so far. Her name is Gladis. Oh an I am sorry for your chickens comb.

 

[weenie007]

Does anyone know what kind of yogurt to feed the chickens? An where I get it? Thanks.

 

[mypicklebird]

An actively laying hen has (usually) a bright red comb, full and almost waxy feeling. A hen out of lay will have a paler, smaller, and softer comb. It is one of the many ways to tell who is laying in the flock and who is not. It does not mean your birds are sick. A broody hen, a molting hen, a hen taking the winter break, or a hen under stress from a recent move might have the combs you describe.
A sick hen would too, but if they are eating, drinking, normal feces, normal wt, normal crop, no respiratory signs- give them time to adapt to their new environment, feed good food, good sanitation and ventilation, you will likely have a nice group in awhile.
How old are they?
Jess



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[miss_jayne]

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i give mine organic yogurt and it is in the dairy dept of any grocery. so good for them.

(i give them the full fat, regular, non-flavored type)

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

Severe mite infestation? I have seen others who's hens have lost their comb color and that was what they found was the problem. Good luck..you have many options to choose from here. It's got to be frustrating that you just get them and now this! Hope you find the problems soon.