Dirty wattles?

[MyFrancesca]

Husband pointed out the hens wattles are rather dirty. They free range and dirt bathe a lot out in the garden so I assume it's just dirt. Some seem more dirty than others. They have not seen winter yet so it's definitely not frost bite. I found the link below and the coloring is similar to ours. The chickens are not acting ill or anything. Any reason to worry or is it a sign of illness?

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/743880/dirty-combs-and-wattles

 

[woodsygal]

Sometimes the sticktight fleas or mites look like dirt. I know the fleas like the comb/waddle areas. Here is a thread with pics-
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/431533/please-help-stick-tight-flea-i-think

 

[MyFrancesca]

No feathers missing or balding but I will watch for that. We use DE in their bedding, nesting boxes and on the roost. Could it still be possible to have mites/fleas even though we use that?