I have 8 Leghorn cross Rode Island Reds that have been laying well since Christmas and are still laying well. However their faces and combs have started to go black. Is this something I should worry about and how would I fix it ? Apart from this they are very healthy and active. Two ducks were added 2 months ago, could they have brought a disease. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Would you please clarify "faces and combs have started to go black"? I have some Japansise Black bantams that I hatched in May. They were normal until three weeks ago then their heads started to turn black. Upon closer looking, the head itself was not turning black but the head is coated with a hard substance that covers the face and waddles. Otherwise the chickens appear normal. I hatched about 70ty at the time and they were all together until I separated them to prevent crowding. One group has the face problem but the others don't yet. Did you find any answer to your black face problem?

Thanks

ikitten and paul, i came across an article that described a poultry disease called "blackhead" characterized by darkening of the face. it said that it's caused by a parasite. also there are no drugs available to treat it but can be controlled by good management and control of cecal worm.