Does this Buff Orpington have a problem?

[tcstoehr]

Not exactly an emergency, but I didn't know where else to post this. My Buff Orpington has black discoloration on her face. I don't know if it's just dirt or what. She's been eating figs, peaches and blackberries that might get her face all sticky, but it has been there for at least a week. I thought some more knowledgeable folks might be able to see if this looks like anything problematic. I don't know. She's about 20 weeks old and her waddle has been coloring up of late. Does this look like a problem or is she just a messy girl?

Link to full res photo

 

[Firekin1]

I'm going to tell you she's a very messy girl as it appears to not be isolated to just her comb and waddles, seems to be in her head feathers as well...lol

 

[julesisthehen]

I have come across this problem several times in owning chickens, and it is just dirt, cracked skin, or other little sticky things that get stuck to her. I have had this happen a lot, but it doesn't affect them in any way, as at first I was terrified that she had mites. You can clean it off with a tooth brush if you really want to, but either way it is okay.

 

[tcstoehr]

I have come across this problem several times in owning chickens, and it is just dirt, cracked skin, or other little sticky things that get stuck to her. I have had this happen a lot, but it doesn't affect them in any way, as at first I was terrified that she had mites. You can clean it off with a tooth brush if you really want to, but either way it is okay.

It did look like mites when I first noticed it, but a closer inspection negated that. My best guess was that it was harmless dirt, but my eyesight is poor and for all I knew it was an infection or a growth or who knows what. I'm pretty new at keeping chickens so I was a bit ignorant. I can see it on my Austrolorp too. Thanks for your input.