Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: terrijane on June 07, 2009, 15:37

Title: dark comb
Post by: terrijane on June 07, 2009, 15:37

(http://i411.photobucket.com/albums/pp194/terrijane2364/024.jpg)

This is a pic of my bluebelle today I noticed her comb was going dark she is not off her food and is laying normally. Could it be heart probs?

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: cathangirl on June 07, 2009, 15:48

Well Terrijane,
Her comb looks very upright and she has a good bright eye, so not really sure. 
Is she showing any signs of distress?
How old is she?
The patch on her wattle looks more like an old blood stain, as opposed to the comb area.
Has she been free ranging in the beetroot patch, perhaps?
Someone with more knowledge will be along soon, I hope.
Best wishes,
cathangirl

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: terrijane on June 07, 2009, 16:19

Hi cathangirl
she shows no signs of distress at all she is only about 30 weeks old - so still a baby really- and I haven't got any beetroot so thats eliminated. still laying as well, everything seems fine apart from this colour on her comb, the other two are fine and their combs are bright red.
thanks for replying
Terrijane

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: joyfull on June 07, 2009, 16:25

I seem to recall another problem on these pages a week or so ago where when one cockerell had heart or resp problem the advice was to give them marmite on toast - yuk  :tongue2:, but apperently chucks love it.

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: treacleminer on June 07, 2009, 16:34

Hi Terrijane
My bluebelle has had a dark comb like that for the last 2 years - still laying well - & no I haven't the foggiest idea why but she seems happy enough.

Janet

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: Big Jen on June 07, 2009, 18:46

Couldnt be sunburn could it? From last week

Jenny

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: Vic K on June 07, 2009, 19:02

My Bluebelle has a comb like that, but stopped laying a couple of months ago (always a tad erratic as a layer). V. perky and healthy otherwise, tho'.

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: Cass on June 07, 2009, 20:32

try checking out this website - http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/PS044# good luck

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: terrijane on June 09, 2009, 14:19

Just an update on her, she is still fine no other symptoms still eating and laying, as others have said the combs on their birds have changed colour I will wait and see what happens. thanks everyone for your help.

Title: Re: dark comb
Post by: joyfull on June 09, 2009, 14:22

my bluebelles wattle is patchy in colour but her comb is all the same colour, perhaps it's just something to do with the bluebelles breed. It wasn't like that earlier this year.