pixiewish Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Hi, one if my three chooks is looking very pale. The other two look fine. I have given her a look over and can't see anything obvious but am still new to this. She does seem to be losing some feathers. Tried giving some tuna as suggested on here but she wasnt interested. Plan to give the run and coop a thorough clean this weekend, dust them all with diatom and pick up some tinic to give but does anyone have any other suggestions? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 How old is she? Is it possible she is moulting, since you say she has lost some feathers - if so, then her comb will be pale and will not return to bright red until she is ready to lay again. Does she seem bright and active in all other respects? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 She is 6 months ish. She does seem bright and alert so perhaps I am over worrying. She has list a lot if feathers around her face, is that normal for a moult or might it be feather pecking? She doesn't have any wounds that I can see though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
good_egg Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 Has she been laying? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted January 11, 2013 Author Share Posted January 11, 2013 I'm not 100% sure, she was my first layer. I currently get an egg a day but the others may have started laying. Unless I catch her in the act then how can I know? They usually lay while I'm at work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 11, 2013 Share Posted January 11, 2013 She could be having a neck moult some hens do this before their first proper moult. Just keep a close eye on her, make sure she is eating and drinking well. You could put some tonic in their water for a boost, something like lifeguard if you have any. Also does she have access to grass, because pekins thrive on grass! Mine go mad for it when they free range Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted January 12, 2013 Author Share Posted January 12, 2013 Tonic added to water, and yes they usually free range at least 3 times a week at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted January 12, 2013 Share Posted January 12, 2013 (edited) Mites can give them pale faces. Ivermectin spot-on works for most types. Edited January 13, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 Is that licensed for poultry? Have diatommed them all as a precaution against lice/mites but couldn't see anything suspicious when I checked them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 Pixiewish, how is she doing? Any change...improvement? If she is moulting she will be pale in the comb, just check her weight and tempt her with foods she likes. A few mealworms each day would give her extra protein, mine usually get some twice a week on my days off. My Molly is just coming out of her moult and I can see her face reddening up again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 She seems much the same. Other two still fine. How long would a moult last? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 (edited) I think ivermectin (e.g. Easymec) is not licensed for poultry. Nevertheless some people use a few drops (around 2 for bantams and 4 for large fowl) on the back of the neck quarterly against mites or the same dose twice a week apart as a treatment. Many reasons why her comb could be pale though. I hope it improves soon. Edited January 13, 2013 by Guest Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted January 13, 2013 Author Share Posted January 13, 2013 Would there have to be a period of egg withdrawal with that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egghead68 Posted January 13, 2013 Share Posted January 13, 2013 One week egg withdrawal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grandmashazzie Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 One of my girlies also has had a pale comb for past few weeks,no sign of moulting,but the comb is now shrinking and almost non existent.She is eating and drinking but would be bottom of pecking order.I hand feed her at treat time to make sure she gets enough and have lots of feeding bowls.Is this old age ex batt around 22months have put lice powder on all and coop,thay also gea ACV and tonic drink the rest all look good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted February 14, 2013 Author Share Posted February 14, 2013 We still have a pale (and yes as you mention Grandmashazzie) somewhat shrunken comb. I am now pretty sure she has stopped laying as number of eggs has reduced. Otherwise she seems healthy and alert and is still eating and drinking well, moult also seems to have slowed/stopped. She also seems to have dropped to the bottom of the pecking order though is still getting plenty of access to food and drink and treats. Is it just a case of the comb becoming pale while she is no longer laying, when should I expect her to start again? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted February 15, 2013 Share Posted February 15, 2013 Hum bit of a puzzle.....I would suggest worming would be the next thing to try. Have you wormed your girls recently? Flubenvent is the only licensed wormer for chickens, you can either add it to their pellets (as per instructions) or buy marriages pellets with it already mixed in! Maybe post a pic of her? Have her head/neck feathers re-grown? My 2 little girls who are about the same age are getting redder in the face and I'm hoping for eggs soon!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share Posted February 16, 2013 Worming all up to date I'm afraid so its not that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mimi5 Posted February 16, 2013 Share Posted February 16, 2013 Well then TBH I'd book a trip to the vet. I had one of my first pekins do a similiar thing, but sadly she slowly faded away over a period of weeks, and died in her sleep. We never found out what happened to her despite mine and the vets best efforts It seems sometimes they may just have an internal problem Sorry didn't mean to be doom and gloom Of course best wishes for your little one!!!!!! Please keep us posted!?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixiewish Posted February 16, 2013 Author Share Posted February 16, 2013 Thanks, am hoping its not doom and gloom, but as you say maybe a trip to the vet is in order. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
