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9 kinds of chicken combs (chicken breeds with combs included)

Except for a few articles concerning water bathing and feathers, we at the typesofchicken.com team rarely do articles about the general outside look of the chickens.

The weekly Pros & Cons articles regarding certain chicken breeds are where much of the discussion about the hens’ appearance takes place. In light of that, we chose to write about chicken combs for today’s post.

What exactly is the function of a chicken comb? The comb of a chicken is useful for determining its health, sex, and breed.

It is commonly acknowledged that there are nine distinct kinds of combs seen on chickens.

1. Cushion Combs

Chantecler is often considered to be the best-known breed of chicken with a cushion comb
via ca.uky.edu

Specifically, what is a cushion comb?

Cushion combs, distinctive characteristics of the Chantecler breed, are tiny and circular. They begin at the peak of the beak and don’t extend very high above the head; there are no ridges.

The Cushion is a somewhat compact, robust comb with a smooth top and virtually straight front, back, and sides with rounded corners. It is not spiked.

Which chicken breeds are known to have cushion combs?

The Chantecler is often considered to be the best-known breed of chicken with a cushion comb. Cushion combs are great for hens who live in colder regions because they assist to avoid frostbite and conserve body heat. Because of their tiny and compact form, cushion combs are ideal for chickens that live in colder climates.

2. Pea Combs

The Pea Comb is another one of the combs that stands out for its little size.

How pea comb look like?

It begins at the crown of the head and continues all the way down to the tip of the beak, where it is broken up into three smaller ridges. The central ridge should be the largest of the three. Breeds such as Ameraucana, Buckeye, and Cornish have this type of combs.

Which chicken breeds are known to have cushion combs?

This style of comb may be seen in the Ameraucana, Buckeye, and Cornish breeds.

3. Single Combs

What is a single comb? Australorp hen with a single comb
via Wikipedia

The most common kind of comb, and the ones most often seen in cartoons, are single combs.

How does single comb look like?

One-comb chickens, as their name suggests, have a single comb that runs the length of the chicken’s head, from the back to the beak. Stretched Single Combs may either maintain their straight shape or droop over to the sides.

Which chicken breeds are known to have single combs?

Breeds like Australorp, Orpington, Rhode Island and much more have the Single Comb.

4. Buttercup Combs

What is a Buttercup comb? Sicilian Buttercup chicken breed with Buttercup comb
via janickibuttercups

The Buttercup combs are characterized by two parallel sides, each having a large ridge that extends from one end to the other and a series of smaller ridges in between.

Which chicken breeds are known for their distinctive Buttercup combs?

The Buttercup Combs get their name from the Sicilian Buttercup chicken breed, whose distinctive comb inspired the name. The unique comb seen solely in this breed.

5. Walnut Combs

How does Walnut comb look like? Silkie Chicken with a Walnut Comb
via Flickr

Combs of moderate size with a texture like that of a walnut shell.

Which breeds are known to have walnut combs?

This comb belongs to both Orloff and Silkie.

6. Rose Combs

Wyandotte chicken with a rose comb

The Rose combs emerge from the top of the beak in the form of a tube that is covered with wrinkles that are rounded in shape. About two-thirds of the comb is taken up by this component. The design shifts into the shape of a tube just above where the head of the chicken would be.

Which breeds are known to have rose combs?

Wyandottes, Dominiques, and Sebrights are breeds that have a rose comb on their heads.

7. Strawberry Combs

Strawberry Combs
via Flickr

Strawberry Combs are rough and of a tiny size; they have a number of little bumps that give them the appearance of a strawberry.

Which breeds are known to have strawberry combs?

This kind of comb is typical of the Yokohama and Malay chicken breeds, both of which were developed in Japan.

8. Horn Combs( Also Known As V-Shaped Or Antler Combs)

Horn Combs chickens
via Flickr

The Horn Combs is shaped like a horn or the letter “V” due to the fact that they are divided into two lines. They can be both small and large in size.

What breeds have horn combs?

These combs may be seen on Appenzeller, Crevecoeur, Houdan, La Fleche, and Sultan breeds, amongst others.

9. The Silkie Combs

Silkie chicken
via Flickr

Silkie Combs is one of the two kinds of combs that Silkie chickens can have. The other kind is called Walnut Combs. These combs have a few back points and are lumpy, round, and wider than they are long.

These are the 9 types of combs that are recognized by the American Poultry Association. Feel free to comment and share your opinions with us.

What are the funniest or oddest chickens you’ve ever seen?

Take a look at our 10 Unusual and Bizarre Chicken Breeds.

FQA

Is the comb of the rooster edible?

Yes. A chicken comb may be barbecued or grilled in the same way that you would cook any other part of the bird. You won’t get much flavor out of the chicken comb, but if you fried it, it will become crunchy.

Is it possible for a rooster to survive without its comb?

Yes, it is, however it is strongly recommended that you take your hen or rooster to the veterinarian. They may develop gangrene and pass away within a week on occasion.

How old are hens when they get combs?

In six months, the combs and wattles will be completely grown. Even though it may take a long time, seeing your beautiful chicken at the end will be WORTH IT. Roosters get their combs before hens do.

Why are my chickens’ combs suddenly changing color?

If the color or texture of your chicken’s comb changes in any way, this is a sign that something is wrong with your chicken. Maintain a keen awareness of the condition of the combs on each of your hens. They should have a healthy hue and not have any spots that are flaking or dry. There ought not to be any blisters, lesions, or tears in the tissue.

Colors that may range from one another and some instances:

  • Fungal infections may cause grey-white patches to appear on the comb. Feather bumps in a hen’s comb might indicate a case of chickenpox.
  • A shortage of oxygen or anemia might be the blame for your chicken’s blue comb. Too many internal parasites, liver or heart disorders, and anemia are also potential causes of a bluish comb. Common flu in birds is Avian Influenza.

Avian Influenza – (Treatment & Prevention)

The severity of avian flu is measured by how dangerous it is to birds. The mild form causes lethargy, loss of appetite, breathing problems, diarrhea, temporary drops in egg production, and low mortality.

To try and stop this, you need good husbandry and good nutrition, and broad-spectrum antibiotics may help reduce losses from secondary infections. Chickens that have been treated for the virus still shed it. You need a special permit in order to use vaccines.

Milder forms of the disease have been kept in check with a vaccination program and a strict quarantine. With the more dangerous types, the only way to stop an outbreak of avian flu is to put all infected flocks in strict quarantine and kill them all quickly.

What type of comb does an Easter Egger have?

Typically, Easter Eggers have a rose comb, however, different comb styles are conceivable. Conversely, rose comb is more common in Olive Eggers breeds.

References:

9 types of combs in chickens
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4 thoughts on “9 kinds of chicken combs (chicken breeds with combs included)”

  1. There is no such breed as Ameuricana. I think you mean Ameraucana, which does have a pea comb (also beard and muff, slate to willow legs, and 8 designated color types). Ameraucana should not to be confused with the popular hybrid called an Easter Egger which is often erroneously called an Americana. EE’s are not a breed but a hybrid mix from Ameraucanas and sold for their possibility of green eggs (due to the genetics of the blue shell laying Ameraucana bred over a brown egg layer). EE’s are sold in feed stores as you have to go to a breeder to get the blue egg laying Ameraucana as they expensive birds. The EE usually has a pea comb, if it is a first generation hybrid, but not always as they are a mix with other comb types possible.

    Reply
  2. Few of your comb names match the picture. If you are attempting to educate the public, you need to have your pictures, names, and facts straight.

    Reply

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