Faces and combs turning black

[ValerieJ]

Another thing...the earlier darkness was not long after the eagle attack. So much stress in the flock for a while!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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?

I don't think it looks like Fowl Pox.
Likely the rest is dirt - do you happen to put ash in your run?

I'm sorry to hear that you had some losses, that can be stressful on the others.

 

[ValerieJ]

I don't think it looks like Fowl Pox.
Likely the rest is dirt - do you happen to put ash in your run?

I'm sorry to hear that you had some losses, that can be stressful on the others.

No, I don't use ash at all, but we have very dark rich dirt out there. It's an orchard after all. (With bird netting now, because of the BEs) Thanks so much for allaying my concerns!!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

No, I don't use ash at all, but we have very dark rich dirt out there. It's an orchard after all. (With bird netting now, because of the BEs) Thanks so much for allaying my concerns!!

Dark rich dirt sounds wonderful! Likely that's the darkness you are seeing.
I put wood ash (stirred into the dirt) in my runs when I have it - combs, beaks, legs are black for several weeks (dust bathing and digging). Oh and mine love to eat the charred pieces too, so poop is black LOL