Faces and combs turning black

[Orit]

I have been keeping my chickens cool in this intense heat (frozen water melon, lots of shade and water, blocks of ice strategically placed, fan aimed at the coop at night...). The chickens are feeling it (panting, wings up) but still seem lively (other than one that I had to revive with Pedialyte). They are wandering the yard, hunkering down in the shade... typical behavior. However, my Red Stars and New Hampshire Red have black on their faces and combs. What does this mean? Are they OK?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Staining from the blueberries maybe?

 

[Orit]

Staining from the blueberries maybe?

Would make sense but they just got blueberries for the first time today and this starting happening a few days ago when the temps spiked into crazy abnormal range.

 

[21hens-incharge]

It definitely is an odd change.
I will follow along to learn as well if it's ok.

 

[ValerieJ]

Hi! I'm wondering if you ever figured out what this was. I have a couple chickens who are looking a little black around the eyes and have not been able to find any information on it. Interestingly enough, they also eat blueberries because they grow in their run and I can't resist picking them and giving them to my girls. I've looked closely at it and it seems like a pigment sort of thing.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Hi! I'm wondering if you ever figured out what this was. I have a couple chickens who are looking a little black around the eyes and have not been able to find any information on it. Interestingly enough, they also eat blueberries because they grow in their run and I can't resist picking them and giving them to my girls. I've looked closely at it and it seems like a pigment sort of thing.

Photos?

 

[ValerieJ]

Photos?

I'll try to get a photo today.

 

[ValerieJ]

This Surly on 8/15/19, when I first noticed. That evening I took her off the roost and examined her closely. No mites. It doesn't rub off like dirt. Didn't know what to think.

This is Surly today. (Poor girl, bothering her on the nest) Now, on closer inspection, it looks like fowl pox.

Compared to Lucy, who was exposed to fowl pox 3 years ago, and has no darkness around the eyes. My profile pic is also her on 8/15/19; this pic is her today.

What do you think, @Wyorp Rock ?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Are you concerned about the places I have circled?
To me it looks like a few picking scabs and some dirt stuck to her nostrils.

 

[ValerieJ]

Are you concerned about the places I have circled?
To me it looks like a few picking scabs and some dirt stuck to her nostrils.
View attachment 1896131

That's what looked like fowl pox, but I agree it could definitely be picking spots. We have had some recent losses and the whole society is changing. But, comparing that to the general darkness of her earlier photo (8/15) do you still think that?