Do Combs Regenerate Like Feathers Do?

[jlwquilter]

When there was an outbreak of pox and then alot of pecking for order establishment I put iodine on pox marks and battle scars.

Now many have parts of their combs purple! It’s been a few months. Will the purple stain color ever go away??

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When there was an outbreak of pox and then alot of pecking for order establishment I put iodine on pox marks and battle scars.

Now many have parts of their combs purple! It’s been a few months. Will the purple stain color ever go away??

Can you post some photos?

 

[jlwquilter]

Here’s a bad pic. some of the dark on the flop is shadow but you can see a tinge of the purple.

I do think the staining has reduced over the couple of months since I applied it to many of the hen’s combs. Makes sense. Old exterior cells die and get sloughed off.

I’m Not in the least concerned about it. Was curious more than anything.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

It may take a while for the marks to go away, sometimes you may still see scars though.

 

[CountryFlock]

Any significant tissue lost on the comb does not regenerate. Let’s say severe frost bite occurs on all the points of the comb, the points turn black and fall off.


Not my pictures.
Before:

After:

 

[jlwquilter]

On one of my leghorn’s comb you can clearly see the discolouration due to the iodine. I do think it’s getting less over time as cells shed off naturally.

I guess I was just surprised at how long the discolouration lasts as it’s never mentioned as a ‘side effect’ when it’s suggested to put the iodine on pox or wounds.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

On one of my leghorn’s comb you can clearly see the discolouration due to the iodine. I do think it’s getting less over time as cells shed off naturally.

View attachment 1880406

I guess I was just surprised at how long the discolouration lasts as it’s never mentioned as a ‘side effect’ when it’s suggested to put the iodine on pox or wounds.

Are you talking about the purple color?
To me that is not staining from Iodine, she probably has a reduced oxygen intake. Is she laying eggs o.k.?

 

[CountryFlock]

I was going to say the same thing. Purple combs are usually caused by poor oxygen. I can see that in a large rooster I have that has a breathing problem. He’s constantly wheezing while breathing and has a purple comb. He’s 3 years old and it’s been going on for 2 years. I think it’s caused by his immense size.

 

[jlwquilter]

Well I guess it’s possible that it’s not staining. But I really think it’s staining. All the respiratory symptoms have been gone for a few weeks now (thankfully!!). A couple of other hens have the purple on their combs too - the leghorn’s just showed up best in pictures. The purple has faded or totally disappeared over the past month. I did see comb darkening when the respiratory stuff was in full swing so I do know that happens.

Everyone laid today except for one leghorn. I’m checking them over tomorrow just to be sure there’s nothing going on. So if there’s some oxygen deprivation going on it’s not effecting laying.