Questions about Mavis and her comb??

silver spangles · **Joined:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:30 pm **Posts:** 6

Hi there,
Just wondering if anybody can tell me if my chook who is apparently a silver spangled hamburg cross black aruacana has a normal looking comb and head shape for that matter. In the last week or so her head has changed shape and her comb has become more distinctive with a little "knobbly cresty looking thing" on it. I have tried googling her two breeds and combs in general but haven't found anything resembling miss mavis' head and comb. I think she is around the 20-22 week age and hasn't laid any eggs yet. While I'm chatting about her she seems to drink alot and has really watery poos which makes sense but how much do chooks really drink??? If anyone could hepl me out that would be great. Cheers.posting.php?mode=post&f=32#

silver spangles · **Joined:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:30 pm **Posts:** 6

/Users/johnboyes/Pictures/iPhoto Library/Modified/2012/09:05:2012/IMG_1007.jpg
Might help if I post a photo of her(the white one)

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

silver spangles,

Araucanas have Pea Combs and Silver Spangled Hamburgs have Rose Combs so without seeing a photo of Mavis I presume that a "knobbly cresty looking thing" may be quite normal for her unless she is a he :shock:

Here is a link to a post on the different types of chicken combs.
http://chickens.wikia.com/wiki/Comb

Chooks don't drink that much in cooler months unless they are dehydrated and their poos shouldn't be runny which suggests that Mavis may have an ailment of some sorts, someone with more eggsperience can help you there.

Maybe you could attach a photo of Mavis to this post?
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=11118
http://australianpoultry.net/addphoto.jpg

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

This is what an Araucana rooster looks like, their pea combs are more raised than the Araucana hen.

silver spangles · **Joined:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:30 pm **Posts:** 6

This is Mavis, it's quite hard to see but at the back of her comb is this knobbly bit, in this picture it could easily be mistaken for a twig in the background. I am sure she is a she I haven't heard any crows and am assuming that the grey colouring she currently has will turn red. It is already tinged red. Any guesses to how old she is going on the colouring? I am worried about her thirst and watery poos and have read on the web during the day that sometimes it can be a sign of not feeding enough?!?!
Thanks for your reply petite poulet and advice on attachments I am obviously new to all this stuff being chooks and forums lol

Petite Poulet · **Joined:** Thu Jun 09, 2011 7:17 pm **Posts:** 5219

Hi, silver spangles,

Thank you kindly

for posting the photo of Mavis, that really helps. I see now she has a horn on the back of her head. Her head looks sort of Araucana except for the longish beak, I really don't know why her face and comb are black, they should be pink/dark pink for 20-22 weeks as you previously mentioned. Silver Spangled Hamburgs also have red combs and wattles.

I have only had my chookies for over 1 year, so I am sorry if I can help you more, I have learnt a lot from asking questions on this forum and reading topics this forum.

Also if you could post what you are feeding Mavis maybe we can see if a dietary deficiency is the problem with her dehydration and runny poo, any other symptoms?

silver spangles · **Joined:** Wed Mar 21, 2012 2:30 pm **Posts:** 6

Oh ok a horn would be a better name for it lol I have three chooks altogether one Ida brown a Belgian d'uccle cross silkie bantam and Mavis. They were all bought together and are around the same age whatever that is. The one question I forgot to ask the guy who we bought them off but they were advertised as pullets. I have continued feeding them pullet grower pellets and kitchen scraps with the odd crumbled up egg shell when available. I haven't given them alot of meat scraps because it just encourages my dog in their coop and digging holes. They also free range most days for most of the day usually 10-5 and then they get locked up with a jar full of scratch mix sprinkled around. I haven't got any shell grit in their coop I have read that if free ranging it's not really necessary and also sometimes not before they start laying. I read it's good to keep their tummies full at night for egg production. I actually mixed in some warm water with pellets and some molasses this morning. I heard this is a good tonic. Mavis is still eating but does seem quiter than the other two, saying that though Annie the Isa is a true sticky beak and Sally the silkie bantam is flighty. Mavis still wanders around but is quite content sitting under trees making nests. Her tail feathes are upright whilst walking around however when just standing they are droop, not sure if that's ok. Thanks for your reply and info much appreciated

Hens and Hobbits · **Posted:** Thu May 10, 2012 2:07 pm

silver spangles,

Maybe Mavis is crossed with a 3rd breed perhaps a Silkie, they have black faces?

Perhaps you can start separate topic with Mavis' health condition and diet details, it might grab someone more more poultry experience's attention

and they will be able to help you more.

Given the chooks age they should be on a free range mix, top layer mash, top layer crumble, or layer pellets. I always keep a separate bowl of shell grit in the coop so the chooks can access it when needed.

You can download a copy of Barastoc's Chook Book as a guide to feeding, link below

http://www.ridley.com.au/newsletters/Br ... k-Book.pdf

Good luck and hope that Mavis' condition is diagnosed and she recovers.

AUSTRALIAN POULTRY FORUM™

Questions about Mavis and her comb??

Who is on the Forum