A blue comb can indicate circulatory problems, respiratory problems, or coldness. A fire engine red comb that is hot to touch can be indicative of a fever.

In the summertime, when it is hot, the comb will diffuse some of the body heat to the air, thereby reducing the bird’s temperature, and in the winter, it helps prevent heat loss. Health Indicator This comb resembles a strawberry. It sits forward on the head and looks like a large cushion comb. Malay and Yokohama birds have this type of comb. Rose: Mosquitoes spread the virus, so try planting insect-repelling plants such as mints and marigolds around the run/coop. A minor degree of frostbite usually does not do permanent harm to the bird; it will be uncomfortable for a few days but will eventually resolve itself. A healthy diet full of essential nutrients and a stress-free environment will keep their immune system in tip-top condition, ready to fight off illness.It only affects the non-feathered portions of the bird, and it starts with small gray/white spots or lesions on the comb, face, or wattles. Hens’ combs are smaller but still give the same message. A vibrant red comb indicates the bird is healthy and sexually mature. the leaf comb or shell comb, as seen in the Houdan, which resembles a butterfly with partially-opened wings. [2] :501 Testosterone for the boys gives them a noticeable comb and wattles. Estrogen for the girls will give them a smaller version of the same. The bleeding is usually not substantial, but it looks like a lot since the wound will ooze for a while because of the ample blood supply.

Apart from the lesions, symptoms include decreased egg output, weight loss, decreased appetite, and lethargy. It may mean she is anemic (think lice and mites), is overloaded with worms, has heat exhaustion, or is molting. Research has shown that hens with larger combs tend to have greater bone density and lay more eggs. If you have hens and roosters with large combs, you should cover them in Vaseline to prevent frostbite during winter. The cushion comb is a much smaller version of the strawberry and looks more like a small cushion sitting forward on the head. ‘V’ Comb:

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The other common problem with combs is frostbite. Make sure you don’t pop blisters, trim edges, etc. Prevention is the best cure. This means your coop should have proper ventilation, moisture reduction in the coop, and no drafts blowing across the birds. There are two types of fowl pox – we are talking about the dry type here. Fowlpox is a slow-spreading viral infection. A pullet that has not yet reached the point of lay may have a small pinkish one – this is normal as her hormones have not yet started surging. the raspberry comb, as seen in the Orloff, which roughly resembles half a raspberry, cut lengthwise. [2] :502

the cushion comb, as seen in the Chantecler and Silkie, is a compact cushion-shaped mass covered with small protuberances, with a shallow transverse groove across it. [2] :500

How To Keep Chicken Combs Healthy

If the comb becomes infected, you will need to apply topical or oral antibiotics until the infection is gone. Pain management should be considered as frostbite is very painful. I hope this has been informative for you and that you will now look at those combs with a bit more wonder and admiration. When selecting a mate, they want to mate with the strongest, so their offspring have the best chance of survival. This is where the comb and wattles help to signal vitality and strength. This comb is not too common. The ‘V’ or devil’s horn is found on a small number of breeds. La Flèche, Sultan, and Crèvecœur are all members of this select little club.