Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

For about the last week I've noticed Alvin's comb getting darker and darker. As of this morning, his comb is dark purple and the tips are getting black. As of 2 days ago I havent heard him crow, and I noticed yesterday that he just hung out in the horse shelter mostly. He's only a year old, but has had chronic raspy breathing and sneezing since winter (which I attribute to my inexperience and poor ventilation ). This morning he tried to dance for one of the ladies but gave up rather quickly and would barely eat calci worms from my hand. I've bought some vitamins/probiotics from the local pet store that I will give him tonight...hoping it helps. Everything I've read says dark comb points to heart failure (one of his chicks from this year dropped dead a couple weeks ago). Dont know what else I should do for him. He's so gentle and friendly, and hes one of the first chicks to ever hatch at my place. Just feeling crappy that I dont know what else to do for him....

Sorry to say I don't think their is anything you can do for him short of taking him to a vet, and I don't think they could help him very much either.

I agree, I don't think there's much you can do, treatment-wise. Just keep doing what you're doing, giving him lots of TLC and treats. He'll appreciate it, I'm sure.
He's a lovely boy. :-(

Just keep him comfortable, he'll know you care.
Tough though.

I'm extremely happy to say that Alvin is looking better!!! I treated him with 1/8th teaspoon of "Super Booster" mixed with about a tsp of water and syringed it into his beak. That was Saturday morning. I thought he looked better yesterday, but as of this morning his comb is definitely brighter red and he came right out of the coop with the ladies looking for scratch. Happy chicken dance!!

Good news!

Excellent news perhaps he just had some chest congestion that the superbooster cleared up.
Sad to think we can't buy superbooster anymore.

kenya wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 09, 2018 3:50 pm

Excellent news perhaps he just had some chest congestion that the superbooster cleared up.
Sad to think we can't buy superbooster anymore.

He still has the congestion and wheezing, which hes always had. But whatever was causing him to feel unwell and the comb to turn purple seems to be better. I think I may stock up on another bag of superbooster...just to have in case of anything...

Is that one of the medications that will not be available after December? Shame it has an expiry date, or I would buy some now; our TSC still has some stock.

Jaye wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 09, 2018 4:17 pm

Is that one of the medications that will not be available after December? Shame it has an expiry date, or I would buy some now; our TSC still has some stock.

Buy some and put it in the freezer it will extend the expiry date. That's what I have done in the past and will again.