beach chick Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Paris has a purple comb, really just the tips of it are red. looking back at old photos, its never been as bright red as the others, but redder than it is now if you see what I mean. my neighbour told me it could be the sign of a heart problem, but even if it is I dont suppose there's much I could do is there? - dont imagine there are many heart drugs or open heart surgery for chickens? she is as fit as flea, jumps the omlet netting, climbs trees, has a fair turn of speed etc etc. I guess if it is her heart she will just peg it one day, so at least it will be quick, and she has a fantastic life. hope she keeps going for a good long while though, she was one of our original 4, and she's only about 18mths old. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gamebird Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 It seems to me that if she appears happy and healthy then there is not a lot you can do. Just keep an eye on her and enjoy her while you can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 our other chicken Sam's comb was never quite right, it never stood up and was always a funny colour. They do say purple comb is a sign of poorly heart. I would just keep a special eye on her if you can and make sure she doesnt pick up andy respirartory infections/colds etc (if she does nip it in the bud quickly) here's hoping for a few happy more months with you! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 thanks for kind words, and good point about respiratory infections - thanks for that chelsea. (wonder if I would recognise one in a chicken though?) she has developed a new level of cunning - climb onto pink eglu and jump from there into omlet netting - saves the effort of a standing start!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chelsea Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 thanks for kind words, and good point about respiratory infections - thanks for that chelsea. (wonder if I would recognise one in a chicken though?) you would notice it. the chicken would sound "rattlely", and if you listened to her breathing up close it would be heavy, almost like when us humans get a chest infection/raspy breath. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Hello Beach Chick What breed is she? Curious because we have a mendlesham blue hybrid & her colouring is so different to the rest. She is really active, friendly & lovely character. ..but her little comb which looked not as res as the others, is even less so now as she has grown. Its definitely a shade of purple, blue & red. I always just thought it was her colouring, bless i hope it doesnt mean heart problems as she is so lovely & when we bought her it wasnt explained as a possible health problem. wonder if we bought her from the same place, i htink you're in Kent if i remember correctly & cant see you description as i am writing this. Ms Tillywondershowlongisachickenslifespan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted June 30, 2008 Author Share Posted June 30, 2008 hi Mrs Tilly, she's a bluebell, so bluey-grey ish, and the purple looks very good with her feathers. her sister, Tara (RIP, visiting dog got her a month or so ago) was pretty similar, but her comb was always red - quite useful, as quick way to tell them apart, but obviously not ideal if it does mean a prob. hey ho tho, I'm sure all our chickens have a fab life, so they must count their blessings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 helloooo B.C.: This looks more like it, good news i hope . .. just been reading up on something else & came across this... " CHICKEN COMBS " "All chicken have combs on their heads, but it does not always look the same. Comb is a fleshy growth on the top of the chicken head. Both male and female chickens have combs, but the ones on the male are larger. Combs of different breeds may look different in shape and even in colour. While most combs are red, some breeds have purple combs. Combs are not just for the good looks. They actually have a very important role for chicken because they cool the chicken down. The way this works is that blood circulates between comb and the wattles." ______________________________________________________________________ I think its a breed thingamajiggy, as maybe they've been crossed & bred,maybe its a genetic definition in this particular type of bluebell. My bluebelle has a lovely orange chest too, she's absolutely gorgeous to look at. Fingers crossed they're one of the breeds with purpled combs Ms Tillyhopeseveryoneisenjoyingthesunsetsky Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted June 30, 2008 Share Posted June 30, 2008 Hmm. Thanks for starting this thread, beach chick. My Biccie has a very pale, almost white comb, which doesn't seem to stop her laying lovely eggs. Pepperpots are supposed to have red/black combs, not almost entirely white ones! If purple combs are an indicator of heart problems, what might white combs signify? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ms Tilytinkle Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hi again Also, an after thought - i wonder if the health warnings are relevant only when a comb which is usually vibrant red suddenly turns blue/purple as opposed to always having that colour. A.R.G., has Biccie always had a white comb, ah bless her, could it be a sign of anaemia ...do chickens get anaemic? I wonder are her wattles white too or are they red? Ms Tillyhopesyouhaveadayfullofwondroussurprises Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Chickens do get anaemic....especially if troubled by lice or mites. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beach chick Posted July 1, 2008 Author Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hi againAlso, an after thought - i wonder if the health warnings are relevant only when a comb which is usually vibrant red suddenly turns blue/purple as opposed to always having that colour. good point MsT, that hadnt occurred to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Abbey Road Girl Posted July 1, 2008 Share Posted July 1, 2008 Hi againAlso, an after thought - i wonder if the health warnings are relevant only when a comb which is usually vibrant red suddenly turns blue/purple as opposed to always having that colour. A.R.G., has Biccie always had a white comb, ah bless her, could it be a sign of anaemia ...do chickens get anaemic? I wonder are her wattles white too or are they red? Ms Tillyhopesyouhaveadayfullofwondroussurprises Hello Ms Tillywonderfullycaptionedhenkeeper! Biccie's comb never changed colour to red but her wattles and ears are almost as red as her companions' combs, wattles and ears. She seemed to be the top chook from the beginning and is very assertive (goes after the buttons on my clothes and tugs at my sleeves for attention). Her comb is reddish at the base but white with small black specs on the top third. Aneamia is an interesting suggestion. That said, she does get the Omlet's organic feed and organic mixed corn as well, never mind the treats! More research is needed! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
