Avian Production Management

COMB 

Comb types

• A comb is defined as a fleshy protuberance on top of the head of a fowl, larger on the male fowl than the female.
• Comb patterns help in identifying the various breeds and varieties of chicken. The common comb pattern noticed in chicken is the 'single comb'. This comb is very prominent in the White Leghorn breed.
• A typical comb has a base, blade, serrations, points and spikes.
• The comb is an indicator of the reproductive ability of the bird as the growth of the comb is controlled by oestrogen and androgen hormones. An experienced farmer will distinguish a healthy bird from a sick bird by observing the comb alone.
• The comb should be brick red in colour and erect (except in White Leghorn females where it falls on anyone side) it should be prominent, rigid, velvetty, soft, warm and waxy to touch.
• Sick birds or a poor layer will have a dry, shrunken, pale, cold comb, with chalky deposits over the surface. Some of the diseases can be identified by the colour and condition of the comb.