Black stuff on roosters comb

[Daphne Scott]

I saw some black stuff on the points of my roosters comb. A few days later I saw it on some of my chickens. I've been really worried but I have no idea what it is. They have been acting normal. Nothing out of the ordinary. At first I thought it was sunburn but then I looked it up and it said chickens cant get sunburn does anyone know what it could be?

 

[Perris]

hello @Daphne Scott - welcome to BYC

One of my roos had something like that earlier in the year; it's called cyanosis (turning blue) and there are a few different causes, e.g. excess calcium. We never got to the bottom of what caused my roo's issue before it cleared up on its own, but I'll flag up some of the people who helped me then and know a lot more than I do about it:
@azygous @Eggcessive @Wyorp Rock can you help here please?

 

[Daphne Scott]

Thank you! I was thinking I should just leave it alone. They are doing alright and still laying so I'll leave them to it. You are so kind and helpful! Thanks!

 

[azygous]

Please, please add your location to your profile so we don't need to pry it out of you. It can tell us your present weather when we check it for your location, and it often has bearing on the issue in your thread.

If you suffered a recent below freezing weather episode as I did here in Colorado where we went from high 90s to low 20s in just a matter of hours, we could be looking at frostbite.

However, combs are sort of like those mood rings of the last century, they convey the current emotional state of a rooster and some hens with large combs. If you observe it, it can go back and forth from red to dark tips during the span of a day. It's nothing to be alarmed about.

However, as @Perris pointed out, it can point to a respiratory issue that prevents oxygen from reaching the outer extremities, turning the tips of the comb a dark, dusky dark purple. That can have serious implications if the chicken also has rails - crackly sounds as it breathes in and out. Such a chicken will behave lethargically due to the decreased O2 in its tissues. The cause is often tumors on the organs resulting in organ shutdown.

If this chicken is behaving normally, the discolored tips is nothing to be concerned about.

 

[Daphne Scott]

Sorry about the location. I live in Beaufort South Carolina and it dosent get cold here so I am pretty sure it's not frostbite. Thank you for your reply I'm sure I dont have to be worried. I will keep an eye on them and see if it gets worse. I'm sure it won't though.

 

[Sally PB]

I saw the same coloring come and go on my my BO cockerel this (very hot) summer. I didn't know it could be a sign of too much calcium; I have seen him picking at the eggshell/oyster shells. As I said, it comes and goes, so I haven't worried about it. Too much. Chicken mom gotta worry, it's in the job description.

 

[azygous]

Unless these roosters are eating layer feed every day for their sole source of food, it's unlikely they've had too much calcium.

 

[Eggcessive]

I have never heard about excess calcium causing a discolored comb. But sometimes large combed chickens can be blue on the tips and toward the back of the comb at times of excitement, during cold weather, and with dehydration. As long as they redden up, I wouldn’t worry to much. Just make sure they are drinking and acting normal. Heart trouble or a breathing issue can cause cyanosis of the whole comb.

 

[aart]

I live in Beaufort South Carolina

I have kin near Beaufort.
Here's how to add your general geographical location to your profile.
It's easy to do, and then it's always there!