Unsecure chicken perches

[Peaches]

Anyone have any ideas what this might mean? Suzy Q is a bit lethargic and her poos have been very sloppy for a while now. I've bathed her and fed her delicious treats and am going to flub her today - but I don't know what a purple and generally darker all over comb might mean. Have any of you experienced this before?

 

Thanks - Fiona

[Daphne]

Its often heart-related, either directly the heart or fluid pressing on it for example. In my experience its never a good sign and if its particularly bad it sometimes heralds an imminent death. However, I have had chooks with 'mild' tinges which come and go and they have lived for a couple of years after the problem first presented during which time they seemed perfectly happy but were never absolutely A1, not my best 'doers'.

[lillybettybabs]

It can also be a sign of dehydration which if she is doing sloppy poops it could be the cause.

[Peaches]

I had an idea that purple combs were heart-related, Daphne; I can't remember where I heard it, but it rang a bell when I read your email. Hopefully, it is dehydration - but she has access to water all the time and short of forcing it on her, I'm not sure what's best to do. Keeping close eye on her for the moment and keeping my fingers crossed.

[Plum]

Sounds like she needs treatment for the loose poos. Would you consider the vet who could give antibiotics if needed.

 

There are other treatments including worming, Oregano based products like Herban but I don't know how reliable this is.

[Egluntyne]

I would worm her straight away and luckily as you are going to use Flubenvet, that will mean she will be on a very basic diet of pellets and water only for a week. Often this is enough to firm up sloppy poos. If she has been overdoing it on the slugs and snails etc, that can be the cause of the squitts, as can too many treats.