cooker Posted July 13, 2010 Share Posted July 13, 2010 Our ex batt Nugget has for the past 3 days developed a slight purple tinge to her comb, apart from that she is absolutley fine, running around everywhere inspecting things (she is top chicken so has to investigate everything first). I think this is a sign of heart failure...am I right?? and if so, is there anything I can do to stop it...I'm a dietitian by trade, I can feel myself trying to push the veg and certainly no more cream (thats only a very occasional treat is there is a small amount left over, mostly just to see what a mess she gets herself in!)...Nugget is our only remaining ex batt, I will be heartbroken when her time comes, any tips gratefully recieved! Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alet_chicken Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Hi Rachel Afraid I can't really offer an answer to your question. Would be interested to hear what others suggest! I was told by my vet that it is not unusual for ex-batts to develop lung problems due to poor air quality in the batteries. Their little hearts have to work harder to compensate, which in turn leads to heart problems and the purple tinged combs that you have described. I have five ex-batts at the moment, four with comb ends that tinge mauve (?) every so often (oddly, not every day, and usually later in the day), but they are all happy and laying when they can be bothered. If the purpleness came on suddenly, then it may be a good idea to check whether there isn't anything that causes internal pressure (e.g. peritonitis, ascitis (sp?), a stuck egg, etc.). Or perhaps she has slight infection that isn't causing her to feel too poorly but is making her heart/lungs work harder? Best wishes Alet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Not necessarily just heart failure; the blue tinge is due to cyanosis... a lack of oxygen in the blood. It could be a bad heart, or a lung problem. Chickens have weaker hearts than most other critters, and the enforced laying that battery farming promotes puts a strain on it. I'd suggest getting her to the vet for a check over to be sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 Or it could be nothing (I hope). I've noticed it occasionally over the years with some of mine - no other symptoms and fine apart from a bit of purple - and they're still scratting around happily now. Fingers crossed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted July 14, 2010 Share Posted July 14, 2010 I had one Japanese bantam which had a blue comb most winters, she had a dicky ticker but lasted for 5 years, so it's not necessarily early doors by any means. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooker Posted July 16, 2010 Author Share Posted July 16, 2010 its gone now!! disappeared the very next day! mystery! Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Dabooka Posted October 17, 2010 Share Posted October 17, 2010 Mine did the same thing. It was after she'd been attacked by something, but managed to escape. Two/ three days later it went back to red again. I had no idea what it was. being new to this I thought it might be a bit of bruising. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkBevBen Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 So glad to hear that Nugget is okay Rachel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted October 19, 2010 Share Posted October 19, 2010 How is her abdomen? Any signs of swelling? They often get a cyanosed comb if they have sterile peritonitis and a build up of fluid . Might be worth keeping an eye out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
