White and black scabs? Molting? Help.

[MoodyChickens]

I could use some help diagnosing my chicken's issues. She has been losing feathers, has white and black scab like things on her comb and she seems thin. She is eating and moving around. I have put out diatomaceous earth to treat for mites. My first thought was molting and pecking on the comb but I am just not sure. Any suggestions as to what could be the cause or any remedy to help would be appreciated.

 

[Liz Birdlover]

I have the same thing going on here, No one has mites or lice & I haven't witnessed any picking on, but they are all molting & a bit grumpy these days despite extra meal & soldier worms, so I think it is the result of a few pecks here and there, probably happening all scrunched & huddled on the night perch (perch is 6 feet yet they huddle at one end leaving it half empty!). Just a few little specks, not like a lot, so that's what I think is going on, because the speck wasn't there when I checked them at bed time the night before. I put a dab of Vaseline on combs today...hope it helps.

 

[Ebony Rose]

The respiratory issues that DE causes far outweighs the 'benefit' of parasitical control measures.

Said another way, DE causes more harm than good.

 

[coach723]

How old is the bird? Where are you in the world? Has it been cold? Tips of the comb almost look like frostbite, a closer picture might help. It also could be scabs from injury or pecking.
Does she have pin feathers coming in anywhere? That would confirm if she's molting or not.
Some birds lose weight during molt. Have you ever wormed or had a fecal done? Internal parasites can also be a cause of weight loss. I would weigh her (an inexpensive digital kitchen scale works well) and monitor her weight for awhile. If she's molting and feathers are thinning then that can make them look less fluffy and may appear like weight loss. If her keel bone is very prominent then that's sometimes a better indication of body condition, keeping in mind that some birds are just meatier than others and normal can vary.