What colour is your chickens comb?…

chickens combs

Did you know that you can tell a lot about your chicken’s health by the look of their comb? 

A healthy comb on a laying hen will be rosy-red and moderately sized, indicating good health and that they are in lay. 

If your hen’s comb changes from rosy-red to pale coloured it could indicate a health issue such as anaemia. This may occur due to a red-mite  or lice infestation.  A comb with a purplish-hue, may indicate that she has a bacterial or viral infection and if she is showing other signs of being unwell she may require veterinary treatment. In summer, a purplish comb can also indicate dehydration so ensure there is plenty of fresh water available. 

You can tell if your young hen is ‘point of lay’ by the appearance of her comb. When she is ready to start laying her comb will mature and become larger and darker red. 

If you have ever had rescue chickens you will know that they often arrive with very large, floppy and pale combs. This is due to the heat of the hen houses they have been living in. Hens don’t sweat, but can use their comb and wattles to release heat, and the larger the comb, the more heat is released. Once arriving in their new home, a rescue hen’s comb will usually shrink and become a darker red colour as a sign of improved health and living conditions. 

Different breeds of chicken can have different sized and shaped combs.