Yellow Chicken Skin

[kwhynott]

I have a hen about 9 months old. I've noticed the past few days when everyone comes out of the coop in the morning she's been staying inside and roosting. Today I was in talking to her and I noticed her face is all yellow. What could be causing it? Yesterday she did come out for a little bit, but she's definitely not herself.

 

[Boonie Stomper]

wow! Wish I knew more about the situation. .. But as this seems to be your 1st post, 1st things 1st ...
What has she been eating.
Is she very fat. Is she acting normal. laying?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sorry your pullet isn't feeling well.

I've never really noticed a yellow face in chickens. Not sure if you can see it on the ones with yellow skin... is that a possibility, that it's just her skin color never noticed before?

I'm sure you are right if you think something is off.

Any more info like is she laying and do you know when was the last time? How has your weather been? What are you feeding including treats and supplements? Any recent changes? How many birds have ya got total in how much space? Are you able to get a pic of her droppings or describe them? Like maybe look under where she roosting? Maybe a pic of her too? Have you been able to pick her up and check her over to look for parasites. When was the last time she ate or drank anything?

First thing that came to mind was when babies get jaundice. It may not be relative, but very well could be as I've seen a lot things that can be the same. Here's one link I pulled, just brain storming...
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165749.php

Chickens require fast action. Hopefully you will get a lot of response. But answering these questions will help folks to access more quickly what might be the issue. There is no wrong answer you can give. People just wanna help!

 

[Boonie Stomper]

Please try to post pictures preferably a before and a now

 

[kwhynott]

Hi, welcome to BYC!

Sorry your pullet isn't feeling well.

I've never really noticed a yellow face in chickens. Not sure if you can see it on the ones with yellow skin... is that a possibility, that it's just her skin color never noticed before?

I'm sure you are right if you think something is off.

Any more info like is she laying and do you know when was the last time? How has your weather been? What are you feeding including treats and supplements? Any recent changes? How many birds have ya got total in how much space? Are you able to get a pic of her droppings or describe them? Like maybe look under where she roosting? Maybe a pic of her too? Have you been able to pick her up and check her over to look for parasites. When was the last time she ate or drank anything?

First thing that came to mind was when babies get jaundice. It may not be relative, but very well could be as I've seen a lot things that can be the same. Here's one link I pulled, just brain storming...
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/165749.php

Chickens require fast action. Hopefully you will get a lot of response. But answering these questions will help folks to access more quickly what might be the issue. There is no wrong answer you can give. People just wanna help!

Thank you for the welcome! I’ve used this site many times in the past, figured I might as well join!
She’s a Dominique. She has been laying. I’m not sure as to when the last time was. We have 14 chickens. I looked her over and all I saw different was the yellow skin and her acting lethargic. When building our coop we built it big enough for 20 birds and they have s large run. Their not free ranging until the weather is better. Its been between 20-40 degrees. Its been bouncing around a lot. There’s been no recent changes with them. They are fed Nutrena feed. They get leftover fruits, veggies and eggs. Not often though. I will get a picture if her though! I researched chicken illnesses but I didn’t come up with anything. She just started acting this way in the past few days.

 

[kwhynott]

wow! Wish I knew more about the situation. .. But as this seems to be your 1st post, 1st things 1st ...
What has she been eating.
Is she very fat. Is she acting normal. laying?

Thank you for the welcome! I have a local group I’m a part of but its much smaller so sometimes you never get replies. She was acting fine just up until a few days ago. She of a normal weight, shes not skinny. She has been laying but I’m not 100% sure when the last time was. I looked her over and it just seems to be the yellow skin and her being lethargic.

 

[kwhynott]

I know Dominique’s have yellow skin. But looking at photos of others, around their eyes and what not is still pink/red. Hers is not. Its yellow.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I know Dominique’s have yellow skin. But looking at photos of others, around their eyes and what not is still pink/red. Hers is not. Its yellow.

According to the link I shared it is a build up of waste material in the blood caused by liver issues.

Her poo should give us some nice clues.

Other things I found... And I think this is a serious cause for alarm for her..

"Yellow skin ’ Yellow skin can be normal or abnormal. Chickens that are fed yellow maize as part of their diet have a yellow skin. ’ Abnormally yellow skin is mostly seen in the case of the disease called ’ Aegyptionellosis, which is caused by a blood parasite that infects the red blood cells.

This link says it could be tick born...
https://www.merckvetmanual.com/poultry/bloodborne-organisms/aegyptianellosis-in-poultry

And I was thinking possible parasite type anemia. If you've never checked or treated for... they can carry things like lice, fleas, ticks, mites.

Intestinal worm load could impact these things so a fecal float might be a good idea.

I'm gonna say it sounds like infection that may need to be treated with anti biotics. and here is a link to a thread with similarities to yours..
https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...lethargic-not-eating-young-pullet-hen.434077/

I would bring her in, make sure she IS drinking, and maybe make it easier to keep an eye on her and get a look at her droppings.

Organ failure is very likely suspect to me, but I hope NOT. That is a worst case scenario.

20-40 degrees is perfectly acceptable free range weather for chickens as they are wearing down jackets. They usually make the choice to stay in or go out and it really varies by the day. Mine are fine in temps but they don't prefer the wind. But bringing your girl in where it warm if you can will let her use her energy to fight off the infection instead of to stay warm.

 

[Boonie Stomper]

my gut says give her some turmeric mixed in with nutrient fortified mash while witholding any treats with high ccaroenoids.

Observe her for a day or two.