roosters combs are black on tips

[atzchicks]

I have 2 roosters that both had big dark red combs but now the tips on both are black and crusty looking. Could it be from them fighting. Any ideas? I haven't been doing this long so theres still alot i'm not sure on. Thanks so much

 

[Master S.M.C]

Could be the after math of fighting or affects from frostbite

 

[emandmikey]

It's the effect of frostbite... it will probably fall off eventually... If your roos aren't in an enclosed place on the really cold nights, you need to slather some petroleum jelly on those combs and waddles to prevent further damage. Em

 

[atzchicks]

Thanks again for the info. Mine are kept in a coop with a tin roof and also has heat lamps, but they roost on the top post near the roof. Could they be getting to cold being next to that tin?

 

[dave_Cash69]

frostbite.

 

[chickenladyk]

I know it seems counter intuitive, but moisture is the cause of frostbite, not cold. We have had Leghorn roosters with huge combs who spend the night outside, in a hedge, in -20 F (-29 C) winter weather. They did not get frostbite.

Once we had them spend the night in the chickenhouse, where we used heat lamps and heaters to keep them warmer, they got frost bite.

After doing some research, we learned that moisture is the problem, not temperature.

Vaseline will help, but it's not the best solution, as it is absorbed through the comb into the body...

 

[4biddies]

I think of it as a combination of moisture, draft, and cold....probably in that order. Tricky because ventilating moisture can add to draft if not designed right. Need the ventilation to be in a manner such as not to produce draft on the chickens.