Does anyone know what this is?

[Dhkoenig]

Hi All - My Fancy Pants usually has a light face and medium/light red comb/cere....wondering if anyone knows why her face looks so dark today?

 

[SueT]

I’d guess she had a comb injury with a little blood which has dried on her face.

 

[SueT]

Could another chicken have attacked her? I have one with a lot of dried blood on face and comb, beak, wattles.
Another possibility would be if she stuck her head somewhere where comb got scratched.

 

[Eggcessive]

It looks like damage from running into fencewire, but she also has some dark material such as dirt or dried blood around her nostrils. I would wash her face with mild soap and warm water, just to clean that up. Is it freezing weather where you are located?

 

[Dhkoenig]

It looks like damage from running into fencewire, but she also has some dark material such as dirt or dried blood around her nostrils. I would wash her face with mild soap and warm water, just to clean that up. Is it freezing weather where you are located?

yes it is in the teens every night. I keep their coop super dry and ventilated, it occurred to me it could be frostbite but I am so careful about that.

 

[Dhkoenig]

It looks like damage from running into fencewire, but she also has some dark material such as dirt or dried blood around her nostrils. I would wash her face with mild soap and warm water, just to clean that up. Is it freezing weather where you are located?

mine don't like to be handled so I will have to chase her down and catch her but do you think if i wash it off it will be moist and prone to frostbite? UGH.

 

[SueT]

It will eventually dry up and flake off by itself. You don’t have to get her wet.

 

[Eggcessive]

Yes, I wouldn’t get her wet with the low temps. Most chickens are easily handled off the roost at night, and I use a red headlamp to sneak up on them.

 

[Dhkoenig]

Could another chicken have attacked her? I have one with a lot of dried blood on face and comb, beak, wattles.
Another possibility would be if she stuck her head somewhere where comb got scratched.