tips of comb turning black no other symptoms- PLEASE help

[AHappychick]

Ok Marty is 1 year old FBCM rooster

he had bouts with lameness as a young cock but has been all healed since August of 2009

he eats Natures Best Organic Feed and is allowed to free range at least 8 hours a week if not more

his crop was empty this afternoon when I noticed the tips of the last few points on his comb darkening to a purple almost black. I know this is a very bad sign!! I immediately checked him over he is a good weight, no mites at all and seems totally fine he is mating and other than the color of his comb he seems in perfect health.

I fed a mix of organic RAW yogurt, raw butter milk, shredded apples and starter feed and then followed that mash up with a bunch of scrambled duck eggs. His crop filled a bit but no where near as much as the he's did but they are more pigs than chickens so I am not sure. I felt his crop and it does not feel impacted.

Does anyone know what could be causing his comb to turn black? it is in the 50's here so it is not cold. I am leaving on Sunday so I have to figure this out now before he declines and I loose him. I love Marty very much so please any advise would be appreciated. I took pics I will post them very soon.

 

[Imp]

I'm no expert, but I have read here that a darkening comb can be sign of circulation and/or heart problems. I hope he's OK. Good luck.

Imp

 

[Love my Critters!]

Could he have gotten frost bite on his comb? Sorry, thats all I can think of... I hope he stays well.

 

[Bat Cave Silkies]

My guess is frostbite--don't think it has to show up immediately after happening, it may take a while

 

[AHappychick]

no it cant be frost bite, I am trying to load the pic now. I thought circulation possibly, anyone else?

 

[AHappychick]

its gone, as quickl;y as it came it went. I have no idea whayt tyo think I am worried that he is having a hard time getting good blood flow as he is suck a big boy. Anyone know anything about this?

 

[dntd]

My rooster's comb turns a dark purple occasionally, IDK why?

 

[Kaelinstorm]

My little OEGB Crele is doing that. Can't be frostbite... temps haven't been lower than 70 and during the day its been in upper 90s. :-/ He's about 5-6 months old. Its been there for a few days now. Weird.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Quote:
I just had a banty rooster's comb tips turn dark purple and the rest of his comb turn kind of pale/silvery/purplish. We had a worm infestation visible in the poo as dead worms. I treated and his comb has come back to normal except the tips are still a little purple.

Like Imp said, though awhile ago, I have also read heart problems can be the case. Pale combs can be anemia.

 

[remuda1]

I posted a thread not too long ago about the same breed roo with the same issue. He's healthy as a horse and has no other problems. My research and the responses I got here led me to conclude that it's high levels of testosterone. It's funny because it's very dark on the tips of the points and mostly at the back first thing in the morning and once he services a couple/few of the hens, it lightens up. If you do a search for my forum name and the word comb, you might find the thread with pics.