Dark colored comb on 12 week Blue australorp?

[SamCO]

This little pullet has a dark colored comb. Is this normal for blue colored birds? She acts totally fine. The rest of my flock has lighter colored combs. Does this look ok?

 

[sourland]

It's okay. Generally they pink up as the bird matures.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Genetically a blue colored bird is black with the blue genetics modifying the black feathers to look blue. It's not unusual for a black feathered bird to have pigment that colors skin or combs to look black. Nothing unusual about that color on the comb at all.

How old is that bird? There are many features that say it is probably a girl, but with those pink wattles, curving tail feathers, and some saddle and hackle feathers that look kind of pointed I'm not 100% sure it is a girl.

 

[SamCO]

Genetically a blue colored bird is black with the blue genetics modifying the black feathers to look blue. It's not unusual for a black feathered bird to have pigment that colors skin or combs to look black. Nothing unusual about that color on the comb at all.

How old is that bird? There are many features that say it is probably a girl, but with those pink wattles, curving tail feathers, and some saddle and hackle feathers that look kind of pointed I'm not 100% sure it is a girl.

She’s 12 weeks. I guess we shall see!

 

[Cindy in PA]

She’s 12 weeks. I guess we shall see!

I'd be surprised if that isn't a pullet. My 8 week old blue australorp cockerel has much more comb & wattle. My previous black australorp hens all had me believing they were roosters at 12 weeks, they seem to show color early.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

Genetically a blue colored bird is black with the blue genetics modifying the black feathers to look blue. It's not unusual for a black feathered bird to have pigment that colors skin or combs to look black. Nothing unusual about that color on the comb at all.

How old is that bird? There are many features that say it is probably a girl, but with those pink wattles, curving tail feathers, and some saddle and hackle feathers that look kind of pointed I'm not 100% sure it is a girl.

Hey, is it normal for light sussex to have this grey coloured comb also? Mine are 6w along and I often come across this with my young ones and wonder what causes it

 

[Ridgerunner]

A show quality purebred Light Sussex should not have that grey comb, but most of the Sussex we have are not show quality. Flaws like that are not uncommon.

 

[everyday_farmlife]

A show quality purebred Light Sussex should not have that grey comb, but most of the Sussex we have are not show quality. Flaws like that are not uncommon.

Okay thanks that's good to know, now I need to note who to cull as the SOP is our end goal