iar fach goch Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 One of our girls laid a couple of softees a few weeks ago and has stopped laying completely since over a week. She is now losing her feathers so I assumed she was moulting. She has been perfectly happy in herself, doing all the usual hen things, but this afternoon I noticed that the tips of her comb were tinged with blue. She is still eating and drinking and out and about with the others, although a little quieter than usual. Any ideas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 I think I've read that that can be a heart problem but hopefully someone more knowledgeable will come along soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plum Posted August 13, 2009 Share Posted August 13, 2009 If they have been pecked the tips of the comb can be discoloured. If the comb is blue I believe it is generally they are not getting enough O2, it may be worth asking the vet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandyhas3chucks Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 my oldest has blue tinging, it comes and goes a bit. ANH is right it is heart, but whether anything to worry about I am afraid I don't know. Greedy has had it for oh.... ages and ages!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tulip Posted August 16, 2009 Share Posted August 16, 2009 We lost our little Cori to presumed heart failure - she always had a blue-tinged comb and never laid. However, one of Redfrock's girls (Bron I think) had a blue tinge that would come and go... as far as I remember she was a normal happy chicken who laid well and died peacefully quite a long time after. I wonder if the stress of the moult is both affecting laying and putting a little extra strain on the heart? I'll be honest - I don't think much (if anything) can be done for her, apart from letting her enjoy life and trying not to worry yourself too much Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iar fach goch Posted August 16, 2009 Author Share Posted August 16, 2009 Thanks for the replies, blue seems to come and go, but at present she seems fine, still no eggs though and looking really scruffy, although quite a few new feathers coming, she looks a bit like a baby hedgehog! How long does a moult tend to last? We've had the girls over a year and this is the first one to go through a moult. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Posted August 17, 2009 Share Posted August 17, 2009 It depends on the hen, but around 6 weeks ish. I recommend adding poultry spice to the pellets to give them an extra boost of vitamins during the moult. Some feed rinsed tuna for added protein. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
