Black on comb

[Diana_burns04]

Maybe a little bit of frostbite?

That is what I think

 

[azygous]

From the whitish tissue, it appears as if it could be frostbite. How cold were the temps she was exposed to? Is the coop ventilated to allow condensation to dissipate? Were any other chickens' combs damaged? How about any frost bit feet?

It's a bit unusual for a strawberry comb type to get frost bit, but anything's possible. If she's acting subdued and moping around, it could be she's in quite a bit of pain from it. She needs to be protected from below freezing temps or it can get worse.

I suggest you do not remove her from the flock. That just makes it so much harder on her when she goes back to the flock. If it looks like the others are abusing her injured comb, it would be better to rig up a safe enclosure for her that is still with the flock.

 

[aart]

I suggest you do not remove her from the flock.

Ditto Dat^^^

How cold were the temps she was exposed to?
Is the coop ventilated to allow condensation to dissipate?
Were any other chickens' combs damaged?

Good and important questions^^^

A bit of scabbing from a peck, it'll be fine...nothing to panic about.
I seriously doubt it's frostbite.
Molting birds often don't feel great and will isolate especially at roosting time.
She can keep herself warm, tho she may look cold.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?

 

[brendave]

Ditto Dat^^^


Good and important questions^^^

A bit of scabbing from a peck, it'll be fine...nothing to panic about.
I seriously doubt it's frostbite.
Molting birds often don't feel great and will isolate especially at roosting time.
She can keep herself warm, tho she may look cold.

What all and how exactly are you feeding?

My flock is being fed layer feed with scrambled eggs and meal worm treats in the evening while they molt. None of the other hens have damaged combs. I have an Open Air Woods Coop. Great ventilation. Temps were down into the teens for a few nights. She did fine earlier this year with temps down in the -30s in this coop but she had a full set of feathers then.

Thanks everyone for the advice.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would guess that it is pecking as well. Pecking on combs first looks black, then as it heals it can appear brown, and finally white. She is probably getting pecked at because she is in molt, and they are weaker then. I would leave her where she is.

 

[aart]

I have an Open Air Woods Coop. Great ventilation.

I remember your coop!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-6x10-woods-coop.1305803/
Did it serve well during last winter...any frostbite?

She did fine earlier this year with temps down in the -30s in this coop but she had a full set of feathers then.

Negative 30°F windchill...during the 'polar vortex' in January 2019?

 

[brendave]

I remember your coop!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/my-6x10-woods-coop.1305803/
Did it serve well during last winter...any frostbite?

Negative 30°F windchill...during the 'polar vortex' in January 2019?

She and my EEs, with the pea combs, did not have frostbite. My 2 BOs lost the very tips of their combs. Because I have a Woods, windchill didn't matter. It was still at the back of the coop. I think the coldest we saw was -8 without windchill.

 

[brendave]

Negative 30°F windchill...during the 'polar vortex' in January 2019?

Yes! I was shocked at how still the air was at the back of the coop. I am so happy I decided on a Woods Coop. It has made my life and my so much easier and my hens happier and healthier I think.

 

[aart]

Did you figure out what was on the comb?
I keep thinking about that comb, looks like it could gather 'stuff' with all it's nooks and crannies.