When you look at the top of a chicken’s head, one of the first things you notice is that funny red fleshy growth, the comb, and dangling below the beak, the wattles. To new chicken keepers, they might look a little odd, but trust me, these features play an important role in the life of every hen and rooster.

As a self-proclaimed serious chicken lady, I’ve learned that combs and wattles aren’t just there to make your birds look stylish (though some comb styles do look like chicken fashion statements!). They actually tell us a lot about a chicken’s health, help with body temperature regulation, and even give clues about egg production and sexual maturity.

An educational graphic showing a close up of a rooster's comb and wattle

What Are Chicken Combs and Wattles?

The comb is the red (sometimes purple, blue, or even black) fleshy structure on the top of a chicken’s head. The wattles are the matching pair that dangle under the chin. Both are loaded with blood vessels, which help regulate a chicken’s body heat.

Think of them as a natural cooling system. In hot weather or warm climates, blood flows through the comb and wattles, releasing excess heat, sort of like built-in air conditioning. In colder climates, breeds often have smaller combs to reduce heat loss and frostbite risk.

And Educational graphic of all the different types of chicken combs

Different Types of Combs

Just like people have different hairstyles, chicken breeds come with different comb types, all thanks to different genes. Here are the most common types you’ll see in a backyard flock.

Single comb: The classic look, tall with distinct points. Found on Rhode Island Reds, Leghorns, Plymouth Rocks, and many Mediterranean breeds.

Pea comb: Three lengthwise ridges with the middle ridge most prominent. Found on Marans (my Maran roosters all have pea combs), Ameraucanas, and Brahmas.

Strawberry comb: Looks like a strawberry perched on the head. Typical for Malay and Yokohama chickens.

Walnut comb: Round and lumpy, common on Silkies.

Buttercup comb: A unique cup-shaped crown. Found on Sicilian Buttercups.

Carnation comb: A dramatic comb that splits and spreads at the back. Found on Penedesencas and some Empordanesas.

Rose comb: Flat and bumpy, less likely to frostbite, which makes it a great option for cold weather. Seen on Wyandottes, Dominiques, and Hamburgs.

Cushion comb: Low, smooth, and close to the head. Seen on Chanteclers.

V-Shaped comb: Shaped like the letter “V” and also called a horn comb, with two points sticking upward. Seen on Polish and Houdan breeds.

Some breeds, like red jungle fowl or Mediterranean breeds, developed larger combs for survival in hot climates, where heat loss was critical. Others, bred for colder climates, evolved smaller combs to conserve warmth.

Why Do Roosters Have Such Large Combs?

If you’ve ever compared the size of a comb on a hen versus a rooster, you’ve noticed that rooster combs are usually much larger. That’s not just for show; it’s a signal of sexual maturity, good blood circulation, and strong genetics. In the chicken world, the size of a rooster’s comb plays a role in attracting female birds.

What Combs Can Tell You About Health

Your chicken’s comb is like a living health report card.

Bright-red combs: Sign of a healthy chicken and often peak egg production.
Floppy combs: Totally normal in some mature roosters or leghorn hens with bigger combs, especially in warmer climates.
Pale comb or pale pink: Could indicate anemia, illness, or that the hen isn’t laying.
Purplish or blue comb: Linked to heart issues, bird flu, or poor oxygen circulation.
Black spots or white spots: Could be from frostbite, pecking injuries, or even fowl pox.
Shrinking combs: Can be a sign of weight loss, illness, or stress.
Dry, shriveled, or flaky combs: May signal dehydration, poor diet, or parasites.

Watching the color of the comb, its size, and shape changes over weeks of age can also tell you when a pullet is nearing the point of lay. As combs and wattles develop and redden, it’s usually a great way to spot that egg production is about to begin.

close up of a brown chicken with comb that is turning black — Chicken with frostbite on her comb

What to Do if Their Combs Look Off

From one genuine advocate for backyard chickens to another: Keep an eye on those combs and wattles, they’re nature’s little health monitors for your flock. If you notice your chicken’s comb does not look normal, first check their living conditions. Are they hydrated, eating well, and safe from drafts or extreme heat? Look at the rest of their behavior, too. A chicken that is eating, drinking, and active may just need a little time to recover from stress.

Seek help from a vet or experienced chicken keeper if:

The comb changes color suddenly or turns very dark purple or blue.
You see black scabs, large white patches, or unusual growths.
The comb shrinks dramatically along with weight loss or lethargy.
You suspect fowl pox, frostbite, or other infections.

Brown chicken with bright red comb and waddle

What About Wattles?

Wattles often get overlooked since combs steal the spotlight, but they play the same important role in blood flow and body heat regulation. A chicken’s wattle is the fleshy flap of skin hanging below its beak, and they are also part of how chickens communicate. Large, healthy wattles can signal a strong, mature rooster, while pale, shriveled wattles may show a hen is not laying or is unwell.

Wattles tend to follow the same health rules as combs. Bright, plump wattles are usually a sign of a healthy chicken, while changes in color, size, or texture often point to stress or illness.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do All Chickens Have Combs and Wattles?

Yes! Every chicken, male and female, will have them. Some are just smaller combs, while others have the largest combs you’ve ever seen.

Even battery hens, wild birds, or your local backyard flock in suburban Adelaide or South Australia all sport some version of these combs and wattles. They’re part of the chicken’s breed identity and a reflection of their evolutionary past.

Do combs and wattles keep growing?

They develop as a chick matures and usually reach full size around sexual maturity. Rooster combs are generally much larger than a hen’s comb and continue to grow slightly as they age.

Can the comb size tell me if my chicken is a rooster or a hen?

Comb size can be a clue. When chicks are young, the rooster’s comb will appear red within a few weeks, whereas female combs are slower to grow. Mature roosters often have bigger combs and wattles compared to female chickens of the same breed. But some chicken breeds naturally have small combs, so it is not always a sure thing.

Do combs mean anything for egg production?

Yes. A bright-red comb is often a great way to tell a pullet is ready to lay. As hens enter the point of lay, their combs and wattles redden and enlarge.

Can chickens live without a comb or wattle?

No, not naturally, since these structures are important for regulating body temperature and showing health. If a chicken loses part of its comb to frostbite or injury, it can adapt, but it may be more vulnerable to hot weather.

What causes black combs or white spots?

Black combs may be from frostbite, fowl pox, or pecking injuries. For more information on frostbite in chickens, check out this article. White spots can also indicate fowl pox or scabs from pecking. If in doubt, keep the area clean and seek advice from a vet.

Which comb type is best for cold climates?

Smaller combs, like pea combs, rose combs, and cushion combs, are less prone to frostbite. Breeds like Brahma chickens or Chanteclers are great cold-climate birds.

Which comb type is best for hot climates?

Larger combs, such as single combs, are better at releasing body heat. Breeds like Leghorn hens and other Mediterranean breeds thrive in warm climates because their combs help them stay cool.

Do chickens of the same breed have the same comb?

Not always. Even within the same chicken breed, comb size and shape can vary. For example, I have two Cream Legbar hens, and while both have large single combs, one hen’s comb is much bigger than the other’s. Genetics, age, and even overall health all play a role in comb development. As long as the comb is bright and healthy looking, the size difference is usually nothing to worry about.

Final Thoughts

Whether you’re admiring the dramatic sweep of a single comb, the quirky bump of a walnut comb, or the practicality of a pea comb, the comb styles and wattles on your flock aren’t just decoration. They’re vital for body heat regulation, they signal a chicken’s health, and they connect your birds to centuries of survival and adaptation across different breeds and climates.

So next time you spot a floppy comb on your leghorn hen or a bright-red comb glowing on your Rhode Island Red, you’ll know there’s a whole lot more going on at the top of a chicken’s head than meets the eye.

What questions do you have? Let me know in the comments!

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