Changes in a chickens comb and wattle can tell you many things about their well being, sexual maturity and can be used to attract mates, distinguish between others in the flock as well as be used to cool themselves down. There are 21 important things your chickens comb is telling you.

What is a Comb and Wattle?

All chickens have some type of a fleshy growth or “comb” on top of their head. They also have two thin, fleshy growths hanging down below their bill called a “wattle.”

Red, Rosy Comb and Wattle on a Chicken

A (1) happy, healthy and sexually mature chicken should have a red, rosy comb and wattle. There are several signs to look for in your chickens comb and wattle that can be a sign to you that something is going on with your chicken.

COMB AND WATTLE SIGNS	WHAT IT MEANS
1. RED, ROSY COMB AND WATTLE	HAPPY, HEALTHY, SEXUALLY MATURE CHICKEN
2. EXTREMELY RED COMB AND WATTLE	YOUR CHICKEN IS HOT
3. PALE COMB AND WATTLE	NOT SEXUALLY ACTIVE OR MATURE
4. PALE COMB AND WATTLE	IS SUFFERING FROM HEAT EXHAUSTION
5. PALE COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN IS STRESSED
6. PALE COMB AND WATTLE OR TURNING WHITE	CHICKEN IS MOLTING
7. PALE COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN IS DEHYDRATED
8. PALE COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN IS UNDER STRESS
9. PALE COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN IS SUFFERING FROM PARASITES
10. PALE COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN IS ILL
11. BLACK SPOTS ON COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN IS SUFFERING FROM FROSTBITE
12. BLACK SPOTS ON COMB AND WATTLE	FOWLPOX
13. BLACK SPOTS ON COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN MAY BE BEING PECKED AT BY FLOCK MATES
14. PURPLE OR EXTREME RED COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN MAY BE CHOKING
15. PURPLE OR EXTREME RED COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN MAY BE HAVING A HEART ATTACK
16. PURPLE OR EXTREME RED COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN MAY BE HAVING A STROKE
17. FLOPPY COMB ON HEN	DEHYDRATED
18. FLOPPY COMB	JUST LAID AN EGG
19. FLOPPY COMB	SIGN OF BROODY HEN
20. FLOPPY COMB	SIGN OF AN OLD CHICKEN
21. MISSING PARTS ON COMB AND WATTLE	CHICKEN IS BEING BULLIED OR PECKED AT BY FLOCK MATES

Extremely Red Comb and Wattle

A chicken with an extremely bright red comb and wattle has a lot of blood circulating throughout it. It can be an indicator that (2) your chicken is hot. It will use its comb and wattle to cool down.

Combs and Wattles Can Cool a Hot Chicken

When the weather is hot, blood circulates through the tiny capillaries inside the comb and wattle, thus cooling the chicken down.

Chicken’s aren’t like humans. They cannot sweat. When blood runs through the comb and wattle, heat is easily transfers to the outside air. So, blood running through its comb and wattle is like having its own built in air conditioner.

You will notice that breeds of chickens that have adapted to living in a hot climate have larger combs and wattles. Chicken breeds that have adapted to cooler climates have smaller combs and wattles.

Cooling Herbs Can Cool a Hot Chicken

One of the first visual signs that your chicken is overheating is a bright red, almost swollen-looking comb and wattle. While these features naturally help chickens regulate body temperature, excessive redness often signals that your flock is struggling with the heat.

Try introducing Cooling Herbs to help cool down your flock during hot summer weather.

☀️ What to Watch For:

• Comb and wattles that are deep red and overly warm to the touch
• Panting or holding wings away from the body
• Lethargy or reluctance to move around
• Reduced egg production during hot spells

🌿 How to Cool Them Down with Cooling Herbs:

Using a blend of cooling herbs can naturally help regulate your chicken’s body temperature and ease heat stress:

• Hibiscus – Encourages hydration with a tangy flavor and supports circulation
• Peppermint – Contains menthol, which gives a natural internal cooling effect
• Lemon Balm – Calms the nervous system and reduces stress from high temps
• Chamomile – Soothes and relaxes heat-exhausted hens
• Rose Petals/Buds – Gentle cooling properties and lightly hydrating

💧How to Use Them:

• Make a cooling herbal tea and serve chilled or mixed into their drinking water
• Sprinkle herbs into dust bath areas or shady coop corners
• Create frozen herb cubes for your chickens to peck at throughout the day
• Mix with feed or scatter into foraging zones to encourage natural intake

Incorporating Cooling Herbs is a simple, effective way to keep your chickens comfortable and thriving—even on the hottest days!

What Does a Pale Comb and Wattle Indicate?

A pale comb and wattle can indicate a hen or rooster is not sexually mature yet, has parasites, is stressed, molting or just laid an egg.

When a hen or rooster has a pale comb it could mean they are (3) not sexually mature. Sexually mature hens and roosters have a bright red colored comb and wattle.

A roosters comb and wattle are usually quite larger than a hens. He uses his large comb and wattle to woo her when he is wanting to mate. The larger and redder it is, the more likely she is to recognize him.

A pale comb chicken can also be telling you that it (4) is suffering from heat exhaustion. If this is the case, it is imperative that you cool your chicken down. Make sure that they have access to cool drinking water and shelter to get away from the heat.

A pale comb or wattle can also indicate that your chicken (5) is stressed for some reason. This can be due to multiple reasons. I have indicated the most common in the list below.

COMMON STRESS TRIGGERS IN CHICKENS CAUSING FLOPPY COMBS OR PALE COMB AND WATTLES
PREDATORS Getting Into Coop at Night
NEIGHBORHOOD DOG IS TERRORIZING THEM
KIDS ARE CHASING THEM
OVERCROWDED
INJURY
ILLNESS
INSECT INFESTATION
EXTREME HEAT
EXTREME COLD
CHANGE IN DIET- LACK OF FOOD OR NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY

Why is my chickens comb turning white? When a chicken is (6) molting, it is very common for their comb and wattle to turn pale in color. Molting is when a chicken looses its old feathers to grow in a new set of full, fluffy feathers to better insulate them during the upcoming cold weather.

When a chicken is molting, it puts most of its energy into growing new feathers. It is hard work growing new feathers! This is also why most laying hens stop laying during a molt.

My Nesting Box Herbs are a great natural support for chickens going through molt—a time when they need extra care to recover and grow in new feathers. Here’s how each herb in my blend helps during this stressful and energy-intensive period:

🌿 How Nesting Box Herbs Support Chickens During Molting:

1. Marigolds
   • Rich in antioxidants and carotenoids to support feather regrowth
   • Promotes healthy skin and vibrant feather color
2. Chamomile
   • Calms stressed, irritable hens during molting
   • Supports restful sleep, which is crucial for healing and feather production
3. Peppermint
   • Stimulates circulation, which aids in feather regrowth
   • Refreshing scent encourages hens to stay active and forage gently
4. Parsley
   • High in vitamins A, C, and K—supports immune health and feather development
   • A natural source of nutrients chickens may lack during molting
5. Rosemary
   • Antimicrobial properties help keep the coop cleaner and hens healthier
   • Improves circulation and supports overall vitality
6. Fennel Seed
   • Aids in digestion and supports nutrient absorption during this high-demand time
   • Naturally boosts laying and hormone balance after molt
7. Dandelion Leaf
   • Detoxifying—helps flush waste from the system while supporting liver health
   • Full of calcium and minerals for feather strength
8. Marjoram
   • Supports respiratory health, which can be strained during feather loss
   • Adds calmness and stability to flock behavior
9. Lavender
   • Soothes stress and anxiety that often peak during molting
   • Promotes a peaceful nesting area, which helps chickens rest and recover

✨ Bonus Tip: Sprinkling these herbs in nesting boxes and coop corners during molt creates a therapeutic environment that promotes healing, comfort, and faster recovery.

A chicken comb turning white or a pale chicken comb and wattle can also signify it is (7) dehydrated, (8) stressed, (9) suffering from parasites or (10) is ill.

🌿 Herbal Support for Chickens Under Stress, Illness, or Parasite Load

When your chickens are struggling—whether it’s from dehydration, stress, parasites, or illness—natural herbs can offer comfort, support, and gentle relief. Here’s how the herbs in our blends help in these situations:

🐓 For Dehydrated Chickens:

• Hibiscus (Cooling Herbs)
  • Naturally rich in antioxidants and electrolytes
  • Encourages water intake by flavoring water or tea
• Rose Petals
  • Gently hydrating and cooling
  • Helps soothe overheated hens and boosts water consumption

🐓 For Stressed or Anxious Chickens:

• Chamomile (Both Blends)
  • Calms the nervous system and promotes relaxation
  • Ideal for chickens under environmental or social stress
• Lavender (Nesting Box Herbs)
  • Naturally soothing and helps reduce aggression and pecking
  • Promotes restful sleep and coop harmony
• Lemon Balm (Cooling Herbs)
  • Reduces anxiety, especially helpful during heatwaves or flock changes
  • Helps stabilize mood and behavior in nervous hens

🐛 For Chickens with Parasites (Internal or External):

• Rosemary (Nesting Box Herbs)
  • Repels mites and lice naturally in the coop environment
  • Supports circulation and immune resilience
• Marigold & Fennel Seed (Nesting Box Herbs)
  • Marigold helps boost skin and feather health after parasite damage
  • Fennel supports digestion and can aid in worm prevention

🩺 For Sick or Recovering Chickens:

• Dandelion Leaf
  • Gently detoxifying; supports liver and kidney function
  • Helps flush the system after illness or medication
• Parsley
  • Loaded with vitamin C and iron—supports healing and boosts the immune system
• Peppermint
  • Aids in respiratory function and soothes upset stomachs
  • Energizes chickens that may be sluggish due to illness

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🪴 Pro Tip: Sprinkle herbs directly in nesting boxes, coop corners, or steep into a tea to boost hydration, soothe stress, and provide gentle immune support—especially for sick or vulnerable birds.

What Causes Black Spots on Comb and Wattle?

Black spots on your hen or rooster can be an indicator that it (11) had suffered from frostbite.

Chickens, generally are pretty hardy birds and can tolerate cold temperatures. But they are prone to frostbite on their combs and wattles in extreme cold weather.

This is especially seen in chickens that are exposed to humidity and cold temperatures at the same time. Any moisture on a chickens comb or wattle during extreme cold temperatures can cause frostbite to the tissue.

When the fluids in a chickens comb or wattle freeze, the tissues are neglected of circulating blood flow. This causes the tissue to die and turn black.

Have you ever watched a chicken drink water? It dips its beak down into the water, (if it has a large comb it can flop into the water) and then throws its head back, sometimes dribbling water down its wattle. Wet + Freezing Temperatures = Frostbite

A chickens comb and wattle is the only soft, fleshy skin that is exposed to extreme cold temperatures. When they perch at night to sleep, they cover their shanks and feet with their downy feathers!

The best thing to do is to protect your chickens from developing frostbite in the first place. I like to wait until my chickens are roosting at night and then I rub a little bit of petroleum jelly on their combs and wattles.

It’s a lot easier to wait until they are roosting at night to do this than chasing them down in the daytime!

For more information on how to keep your chickens warm during the winter read my article:

Another reason your chicken may have black spots is due to having (12) fowl pox. This is the chicken form of “chicken pox” that humans get.

If your chicken has fowl pox it will also exhibit other symptoms such as lethargy, diarrhea, loss of interest in moving around, not wanting to eat and weight loss.A

Black spots can also be (13) scabs from being pecked at by others in the flock. Keep an eye on this. Chickens can sometimes bully others in the flock. They go crazy when they see blood too.

You might need to separate them or at least keep a careful watch that they don’t take it too far. Sometimes, when they are trying to establish their pecking order, they can get quite mean! If you have to, re-home the chicken that is the bully.

Purple or Extreme Red Comb or Wattle

If your chicken develops either a purple or very, very red comb or wattle this can indicate that they are having some sort of circulatory problem. They can be (14) choking on something, (15) having a heart attack or even a (16) stroke.

What Does a Floppy Comb on a Chicken Mean?

If your chicken normally has a comb that stands upright, but is suddenly floppy, that may be an indicator that (17) it is dehydrated. A chickens comb is made up of mostly water and if it is dehydrated can flop over.

Make sure that your chicken has access to more than one source of water. You can even add a little bit of electrolytes or natural herbs that encourage drinking to the water to help perk it up.

🐓 Dehydrated Chickens

When heat strikes, hydration becomes critical. These herbs encourage water intake and provide natural cooling:

• Hibiscus – High in antioxidants and naturally flavorful; encourages chickens to drink more water.
• Peppermint – Cools the body and supports digestion; can be steeped in water to refresh hot hens.
• Rose Petals – Gently hydrating and soothing; helps prevent overheating.
• Lemon Balm – Reduces stress-related dehydration; calming and cooling.

Another reason that your hen may have a floppy comb is because she (18) just laid an egg. Normally, a laying hens comb is bright red.

When she is working on laying an egg, the blood redirects to the muscles that contract to help her lay an egg. This is why sometimes your hen’s comb will be drooping when she leaves the hen box! Give her a little time and it will be standing upright again.

🐔 Laying Hens

Your egg-layers work hard daily—these herbs help support their reproductive health and immune strength:

• Parsley – Rich in iron, calcium, and vitamin K; supports healthy egg production.
• Marigold (Calendula) – Helps produce vibrant yolks and supports reproductive health.
• Chamomile – Calms anxiety, reduces stress, and supports digestion in active layers.
• Fennel Seed – Stimulates appetite and aids in nutrient absorption.

Another reason for. a floppy comb can be that your hen is (19)broody.

🐣 Broody Hens

Broody hens may neglect to eat, drink, or care for themselves. These herbs provide calm, hydration, and support:

• Lavender – Calms irritability and helps manage hormonal changes.
• Rose Petals – Encourage gentle hydration and relaxation in the nest.
• Peppermint – Invigorates without overstimulating, helping to nudge broody hens to eat and drink.
• Lemon Balm – Reduces anxiety and encourages rest without agitation.

Another reason for a floppy comb can just be that your chicken (20) is old. As a chicken ages, their comb and wattles continue to grow. Kind of like as humans age, our ears and nose continues to grow.

🐓 Older Hens

Aging hens need immune-boosting, anti-inflammatory herbs that support digestion, comfort, and relaxation:

• Chamomile – Soothes aging joints and calms the mind.
• Rosemary – Stimulates circulation and memory; helps prevent parasites in senior birds.
• Dandelion Leaf – Supports liver and kidney function for natural detox.
• Lavender & Marjoram – Calm nerves and promote restful sleep.

🌿 How Our Herbs Support Every Hen in Your Flock

Whether your chickens are battling heat, brooding instincts, age-related changes, or working hard to lay eggs, our Nesting Box Herbs and Cooling Herbs for Chickens are carefully blended to provide comfort, hydration, and natural support.

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🪴 Tip: Offer herbs fresh, dried, mixed in feed, or steeped as a tea. Your flock will benefit no matter how you serve them!

Floppy Combs: Chicken Comb Flopped Over (Stress Triggers)

COMMON STRESS TRIGGERS IN CHICKENS CAUSING FLOPPY COMBS OR PALE COMB AND WATTLES
PREDATORS Getting Into Coop at Night
NEIGHBORHOOD DOG IS TERRORIZING THEM
KIDS ARE CHASING THEM
OVERCROWDED
INJURY
ILLNESS
INSECT INFESTATION
EXTREME HEAT
EXTREME COLD
CHANGE IN DIET- LACK OF FOOD OR NUTRITIONAL DEFICIENCY

Missing Chicken Comb and Wattle Pieces

Chickens will fight to establish a pecking order within the flock. This can happen frequently when changes occur in their group. This can be due to integrating new members into the flock, when a chicken dies or there is a sudden decline in available food.

Sometimes this can get out of hand and result in (21) missing chicken comb and wattle pieces. If you see this happening, it is best to single out the bully chicken and put it in “chicken jail” to knock it down a few notches in the pecking order.

It’s ok for chickens to peck at each other to establish their pecking order, but it should never cause any bloodshed.

Different Types of Combs

There are a total of 9 different types of recognized chicken combs; Buttercup, Carnation, Cushion, Pea, Rose, Single, Strawberry, V and Walnut.

Many times due to cross breeding, it can result in a chicken having a comb that the breed does not usually have. These are typical breeds that possess each of the combs.

COMB TYPE	CHICKEN BREED
1. SINGLE	ORPINGTONS, COCHINS, ANCONAS, ROCKS, AUSTRALORPS, MINORCAS, LEGHORNS, REDS, MARANS, FAVEROLLES, DORKINGS, SUSSEX, LAKENVELDERS, TURKENS – NAKED NECKS, GIANTS, PHOENIX, LANGSHAN
2. PEA	AMERAUCANA, ARAUCANA, BRAHMA, CORNISH, BUCKEYE, CUBALAYA BREEDS
3. WALNUT	SILKIE
4. V-SHAPED	POLISH, SULTANS, HOUDANS, LA FLECHE, CREVECOEURS
5. BUTTERCUP	SICILIAN BUTTERCUP
6. CARNATION	PENEDESENCA, EMPORDANESA
7. ROSE	WYANDOTTES, DOMINIQUES, SEBRIGHTS, HAMBURGS
8. CUSHION	CHANTECLERS
9. STRAWBERRY	YOKOHAMAS, MALAYS

COMB TYPE	CHARACTERISTICS
SINGLE	Single, smooth, soft comb beginning at beak – back of head. Contains about 6 fleshy ridges.
PEA	Low, medium sized comb with 3 ridges from top of beak – top of head. Center ridge is slightly raised with pea-like protrusions.
WALNUT	Medium sized, solid comb. Combination of both Rose and Pea Comb. Resembles a walnut.
V	V-shaped. Two solid, thick points at base of beak. Looks like horns.
BUTTERCUP	Has a very short single comb down the center with two larger combs on either side.
CARNATION	Single comb with several lobes in the back.
ROSE	Flat and close to the head. Runs from beak to back of head. Front 2/3 covered in round bumps, similar to a rose. Back end comes to a point.
CUSHION	Round, small, smooth comb without any ridges or points. Runs from top of beak – only short way up head.
STRAWBERRY	Similar to Rose, but are not as flat and does not form a point. Looks like a strawberry.

CONCLUSION: Do You Know What Your Chickens Comb is Telling You?

Changes in your chickens comb and wattle can tell you many things about them, including their health, sexual maturity and well being.

Everyday, take time to observe your flock so you are aware of any problems that may be going on.

The appearance of your hen or roosters comb and wattle is their way of telling you how they are doing. Listen to what they are telling you and if there is something going on, take care of it as soon as possible.

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21 Important Things Your Chickens Comb is Telling You– https://www.backyardchickensmama.com/important-things-chickens-comb-telling-you/