Healthy Wattles and Combs Vs. Unhealthy

If you are trying to diagnose an illness, one of the first outward symptoms of an unwell chicken are pale wattles and combs.

These should be a healthy, bright red, unless the hen is of a breed that has an oddly colored set of wattles and combs (such as the all-black Ayam Cemani or Svart Hona)

Here are some wonderful resources on combs and wattles, which will show you what you need to look for.

If your hens have never had very deeply colored combs or wattles, do not panic; simply allow your vet to run a few basic tests in order to diagnose the flock.

First, you will see a video on mite & tick care, discussing the combs and wattles. The hen in the video has very healthy waddles and comb. In the next video, you will see someone’s chicken who is suffering from illness, with a pale comb and wattles.