Comb (anatomy)
Fleshy crest on the head of gallinaceous birds.
The fleshy crest on top of the head of certain gallinaceous birds, like domestic chickens, is called a comb. The term "cockscomb" comes from the fact that male birds (cocks) typically have larger combs than females (hens). Along with the wattles and earlobes, the comb is one of several fleshy head protuberances known collectively as caruncles. In turkeys, the caruncles appear as fleshy nodules on the head and throat. While chicken combs are usually red, breeds such as the Silkie can have dark mulberry or black combs, while the Sebright has a rose comb that is typically red. In other bird species, comb color ranges from light grey to deep blue or red. A comb can serve as a reliable sign of health or vigor and plays a role in mate selection for some poultry.
Chicken combs come in many shapes, depending on the breed. The main types include: the single comb, a single line from the beak base to the back of the head, with a solid vertical part and a series of serrations; the cup or buttercup comb, cup-shaped with spiked edges, as in the Sicilian Buttercup; the cushion comb, a compact, cushion-like mass with small bumps and a shallow groove, seen in the Chantecler; the horn or V-comb, with two spikes forming a V from above the beak, tapering from a thick base, found in breeds like the Crèvecœur, La Flèche, and Sultan; the leaf or shell comb, resembling a butterfly with partially opened wings, as in the Houdan; the pea or triple comb, like three small single combs in a row, seen in the Araucana, Brahma, Buckeye, Indian Game, Ixworth, Malay, and Sumatra; the raspberry comb, roughly like half a raspberry cut lengthwise, as in the Orloff; the rose comb, broad and flat with small pointed bumps and a long backward spike, typical of the Hamburg and Wyandotte; and the strawberry or walnut comb, resembling half a strawberry or walnut, as in the Silkie and Malay. In hens, the comb is generally smaller and neater than in cocks. Several genes influence comb shape, including Rose-Comb and Pea-Comb, which interact to produce the walnut comb, and the Duplex-Comb gene associated with the buttercup comb; the single comb is also genetically determined.
Combs are also used in cooking, often alongside wattles or chicken kidneys.
- Type
- Anatomical structure
- Found in
- Gallinaceous birds (e.g., domestic chickens, turkeys)
- Alternative name
- Cockscomb
- Associated structures
- Wattles, earlobes, caruncles
- Common colors
- Red, dark mulberry, black, light grey, deep blue
- Uses
- Mate-assessment, cookery, skincare (hyaluronic acid extraction)
Lore & Background
The comb is a fleshy growth on the top of the head of some gallinaceous birds, such as domestic chickens. It is generally larger on cock birds than on hens, which is reflected in the alternative name cockscomb. The comb is part of a group of fleshy protuberances on chickens' heads called caruncles, which also include the wattles and earlobes. In turkeys, the caruncles are the fleshy nodules on the head and throat. Chicken combs are most commonly red, but may also be dark mulberry or black in breeds such as the Silkie, while the Sebright has a rose comb that is typically red. In other species the color may vary from light grey to deep blue or red. The comb may be a reliable indicator of health or vigor and is used for mate-assessment in some poultry species.
Reader's Guide
Comb shape varies considerably depending on the breed or species of bird. Principal types include the single comb, cup comb (buttercup comb), cushion comb, horn comb (V-comb), leaf comb (shell comb), pea comb (triple comb), raspberry comb, rose comb, and strawberry or walnut comb. In hens, the comb is usually smaller and neater than in the cock. There are three known genes affecting comb shape: Rose-Comb, Pea-Comb, and Duplex-Comb, which has one allele responsible for buttercup combs and another responsible for V combs. In cookery, combs are used in French cuisine as garnishes and in salpicons, in Italian cuisine as an ingredient of cibreo, and in Chinese dim sum-style dishes. They are prepared by parboiling and skinning, then cooking in court-bouillon, after which they are greyish. Hyaluronic acid, used in skincare and medical treatments to hydrate and maintain moisture in the skin, is extracted from cockscomb. The term 'cockscomb' also describes various plants, a jester's cap, and a shape of pasta.
Did You Know?
- The comb is one of several fleshy protuberances on the heads of chickens, the others being the wattles and earlobes, which collectively are called caruncles.
- Chicken combs are most commonly red, but may also be black or dark purple in breeds such as the Silkie or the Sebright.
- Hyaluronic acid, used in skincare and medical treatments, is extracted from cockscomb.
More in Bird anatomy 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
Reader corrections go straight into our review queue. Suggest an edit · How this site is sourced