Comb (anatomy) Facts for Kids

This article is about Coxcomb (disambiguation)|Coxcomb. For other uses, see Comb (anatomy) (disambiguation).

A rooster with a single comb

A comb is a soft, fleshy growth found on top of the head of some birds, like chickens. You might also hear it called a cockscomb. This name comes from the fact that combs are usually bigger on male chickens (roosters or cocks) than on female chickens (hens). The comb is one of several fleshy parts on a chicken's head. Others include the wattles (under the chin) and earlobes. Together, these are sometimes called caruncles. In turkeys, caruncles are the bumpy parts on their head and throat.

Chicken combs are most often red. However, they can also be black or dark purple in certain breeds, like the Silkie or Sebright. In other bird species, the comb's color can range from light gray to deep blue or red.

The comb can be a good sign of a bird's health and strength. It's also used by some poultry to help choose a mate.

Different Types of Chicken Combs
Combs in Cooking
Other Uses and Meanings
Spelling variations
Images for kids
See also

Different Types of Chicken Combs

The shape of a chicken's comb can be very different depending on the breed. Here are some of the main types you might see on roosters:

The single comb is the most common type. It stands up straight in a single line from the beak to the back of the head. It has a solid base with several points or jagged edges on top. The size, shape, and number of these points vary by breed.

The cup comb or buttercup comb looks like a cup with spiky edges. You can see this type on the Sicilian Buttercup chicken.

The cushion comb is a compact, rounded shape. It's covered with small bumps and has a shallow groove across it. Breeds like the Chantecler and Silkie have this comb.

The horn comb or V-comb has two spikes that form a V-shape. They start above the beak and narrow to a point. Breeds such as the Crèvecœur and La Flèche have V-combs.

The leaf comb or shell comb looks a bit like a butterfly with its wings partly open. The Houdan chicken has this unique comb.

The pea comb or triple comb looks like three small single combs placed in a row. You can find this comb on breeds like the Araucana, Brahma, and Indian Game.

The raspberry comb looks a bit like half of a raspberry, cut lengthwise. The Orloff chicken has this type of comb.

The rose comb is wide and fairly flat. It's covered with small, pointed bumps and has a long spike that points backward. The Hamburg and Wyandotte breeds have rose combs.

The strawberry comb or walnut comb looks somewhat like half of a strawberry or a walnut. The Malay chicken breed has this comb.

In hens, the comb is usually smaller and neater than in roosters. Scientists know of three genes that affect comb shape: Rose-Comb, Pea-Comb, and Duplex-Comb.

Combs in Cooking

Combs have been used in cooking for a long time, often with other chicken parts like wattles or kidneys.

In the past, combs were used in French cuisine as fancy decorations for dishes. They were also used in special mixtures called salpicons. These mixtures were served in pastries like vol-au-vents. Combs were often combined with expensive ingredients such as truffles or morel mushrooms in a creamy sauce.

In Italian cuisine, cockscombs are an ingredient in cibreo. This is a traditional sauce that also includes chicken livers, wattles, and unlaid eggs. It's used in pasta dishes like tagliatelli al cibreo.

To prepare combs for cooking, they are usually boiled briefly and then their outer skin is removed. After this, they are cooked in a flavorful liquid. Once prepared, they turn a grayish color. Today, they are sometimes served in Chinese dim sum dishes.

Other Uses and Meanings

Because of its bright color and unique shape, the word "cockscomb" is also used to describe various plants. These include the popular garden plant Celosia cristata, which has a flower head that looks like a rooster's comb. Other plants with similar names are yellow rattle and wild poppy.

The term "cockscomb" can also refer to the characteristic jester's cap. There's even a shape of pasta called creste di galli, which means "rooster's combs" in Italian.

Interestingly, Hyaluronic acid is a substance used in skincare and medical treatments to help skin stay hydrated and moist. This acid can be extracted from cockscombs!