I have 2 roosters, 3 hens. We've had unusually wet/cold temps this week (8 degrees to 25 degrees) and this afternoon it has finally gotten sunny and warmed up to 50. While cleaning out the coop, I noticed Pecky's comb looks black on the tip, and there is something whitish below his cheeks. I know he and my other rooster have gone at it before, and I'm hoping the black is just dried blood...
I'm pretty sure Pecky has frostbite on his comb. I would put some Neosporin ointment without pain reliever on it, or coconut oil--just nothing with menthol in it. Do not rub the comb, just dab on the ointment, since rubbing can damage the comb more. I am not sure about the earlobe, but favus, a fungal infection can cause a white chalky material on combs, wattles, and earlobbes. It may also be dry skin or frostbite too, I'm not sure. Make sure that you have plenty of overhead ventilation without a draft, where moisture can escape the coop. Heat lamps can actually raise the humidity, and probably shouldn't be used unless it is -20-30 F. Here are a couple of links about frostbite: http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/12/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes.html http://naturalchickenkeeping.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-help-chicken-with-frostbite.html
