Black on combs and beaks, should we be concerned?

[Kpiper]

We have 15 hens, and one rooster. Several of them have blackening on their comb and beak. We don’t know what it is or if we should be concerned. They all seem to be acting normally. Although we have seen some runny Poo in the chicken run. Not sure who’s it is. Advice?

 

[Saveria]

That first picture definitely looks like more than regular peck marks is going on. I'll tag some people if no one picks this up by tomorrow.

 

[LaFleche]

This looks like dried blood on the first and on the other one a peck mark to me.
With rising hormones they might have started to fight trying to reset the hierarchy.

 

[WhiteCollarWeezy]

What's the temperature where u are?

 

[Kpiper]

What's the temperature where u are?

72

 

[WhiteCollarWeezy]

Nevermind...only time i have ever seen a blackened comb..it was 30 degrees and my roosters had frostbite.

 

[Eggcessive]

The blackened area look like they are fighting or running each other into some metal fencing. Spend some time with them and make sure they have enough room, plus multiple feeders and waterers. Are you using a balanced chicken layer or all flock feed?

 

[Kpiper]

We’re using layer feed. We have one large feeder for all and one larger waterer too. We’ll have to keep an eye and see what we find out.