new to world of silkies

[kimmybee]

i got a white silkie for my 8 year old, she loves her very much but she just saw pictures of silkies with a huge wart like thing on their beaks or heads.... i tried to research what this was, and it seems some have it and some don't, does anyone have any insight to this? she was kind of grossed out by it and said she wouldn't want to touch that brainy looking thing if her chick gets one.

I told her then it would be my baby because I love them.

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
that is the rooster comb and if u dont like it u can find rooster with very small combs

 

[DrinkTheRainbow]

My rooster has a really tiny one so it looks like a blood cell.

 

[orpingtonbabies]

Quote:
that is the rooster comb and if u dont like it u can find rooster with very small combs

sorry 2 intrude but do only roos have that kind of brain looking comb? because i have one 12 week-old who has a very small comb but it's very brain-ish looking...

 

[drumstick diva]

ugh, those combs (look like awful tumors) gross me out too. My friend has silkies, and it just "spoils" the whole experience for me, I don't want to be around them. Do hens have them as well?

 

[chickendales]

Quote:
that is the rooster comb and if u dont like it u can find rooster with very small combs

sorry 2 intrude but do only roos have that kind of brain looking comb? because i have one 12 week-old who has a very small comb but it's very brain-ish looking...

hens have a comb but if ur not looking for it at that age u wount find it

 

[ScaredOfShadows]

yes the hens have them too, but usually not as bulbous or noticeable. a breeder/show quality hen especially the crest should hide the comb. A hatchery hen usually the crest sweeps back and the comb is very noticable.

I love my silkies, I like their combs

 

[ThePolishPrincess]

Yup, all birds should have a comb of some sort. Hens' are usually smaller and more well-hidden...It honestly doesn't bother me at all?

Maybe I'm immune.


Orpingtonbabies-Silkies can also 'throw' single combs due to weirdness in the genes. If the comb is just a regular walnut comb but still doesn't look like a wad of gum, that can change as the bird matures. Or, sometimes they can look a little different. The walnut comb can vary.

Mine has a 'wad', but I love it's color.

Females have them but they are typically very small. Much easier to see them on hatchery birds or birds with smaller crests.-As pointed out.

This is a very old picture of a very nasty (in more ways than one, obviously) roo I once had the great pleasure of owning. His comb is even more visible.