White ear lobes - just color bleed or fungal

[Corbin_Dallas]

Noticed white patches on both ear lobes. Pulled him out of the coop for inspection and discovered the likely source of blood spatter this morning - deep laceration bottom of ear lobe (dark spot /clot very bottom). At least that mystery is solved.

Heading to butcher in a few days.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

White is color bleed.

A dab of blukote on the cut if you wish.

 

[nuthatched]

Looks like coloring to me.

 

[Corbin_Dallas]

White is color bleed.

A dab of blukote on the cut if you wish.

Looks like coloring to me.

Thanks for the quick responses! So close to the finish line with these guys.

I just did a quick cleanup with antiseptic spray on some q-tips; I seem to remember reading somewhere blukote was a no-go close to processing.

The picture is a bit deceiving, its actually a pretty gnarly cut but luckily the fold is keeping it closed.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Heading to butcher in a few days.

I agree with others that's genetic color bleeding through.. not uncommon in cream and light tan layer and also not fungal.

If this will be your first time eating heritage breed chicken.. please do some research and choose the best cooking method for his age.. often slow and low with moisture and shredded like for enchiladas, tacos, or burritos. (chicken pot pie, or noodle soup).

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thanks for the quick responses! So close to the finish line with these guys.

I just did a quick cleanup with antiseptic spray on some q-tips; I seem to remember reading somewhere blukote was a no-go close to processing.

The picture is a bit deceiving, its actually a pretty gnarly cut but luckily the fold is keeping it closed.

Ah, o.k. then I'd just leave it.

 

[Bluesamantha26]

Did you figure out exactly what this was?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Did you figure out exactly what this was?

There are 3 Replies With The Answer

White is color bleed.

Looks like coloring to me.

I agree with others that's genetic color bleeding through.. not uncommon in cream and light tan layer and also not fungal.

 

[raingarden]

It's an ancestral trait. I select for roosters with the most white in their ear lobes.

 

[Corbin_Dallas]

It's an ancestral trait. I select for roosters with the most white in their ear lobes.

Really? Any particular reason or other traits that come along with it?

This cockerel started off very curious and friendly, fell behind growth/dominance wise to the guy attached (we dubbed him Golden Eye as his eyes changed early). White ears has since regained parity in size but has become a complete a$$ along the way, terrorizing all the other chickens and actively attacking me any chance he gets.

Meanwhile, Golden Eye is ok being handled, keeps the peace and is willing to defend - I was using a drill to mount a camera in the coop and the initial noise freaked out the flock prompting a surprisingly powerful flying double leg kangaroo kick to the drill hand that left both of us a bit bloody. Luckily his spurs are still nubs. I 'hid' the drill, gave Golden Eye a few calming pets then went back to work. He posted up a few feet a way and watched intensely but did not attack.