Frostbite / Ventilation Help

[sunmanchicken127]

Hello

Northern UT here. We have been getting as low at 20 degrees at night lately.

I noticed last night there was blood all over my feeders. Upon some investigating, I found my barred rocks both had what looks like frostbite across their combs. They stick their heads through the fence so I am guessing doing that mixed with the frostbite caused them to bleed. They look like they naturally stopped bleeding within a few hours and I am going to grab blu-kote today and apply it. I also am seeing some small specs of black on my Rhode Island Reds' combs.
View attachment 3308634

I have been working on fixing a coop my chickens are in. We have enough space and roosting bars, but I am stuck on what to do next. Here's what I have:View attachment 3308643View attachment 3308644View attachment 3308645View attachment 3308646View attachment 3308647

I want to use ventilation to hopefully prevent further frostbite. I was going to add another hardware cloth slot on the opposite side of the current one that's right above the shingles (picture #1). However, as you can see, this would put a pretty bad draft across their heads. I don't know how to add more ventilation without putting a draft across them. I am willing to use artificial heating as an absolute last resort, but I am hoping there are other ideas here so I don't have to. My entire flock is 2 BR, 3 RIR, 2 EE & 1 Leghorn.

This is also the first winter for all of them minus 1 RIR and the Leghorn. Those two are a few years old but the other 6 are 6 months old.

Thanks for any help / input.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

What are the dimensions of your coop? You should extend your eaves and open up the perimeter on the top under the eaves, instead of having those tiny little vents that are low

 

[3KillerBs]

Here's my article on ventilation to help you figure out what sort of airflow you need to establish:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/repecka-illustrates-coop-ventilation.77659/

 

[aart]

I also am seeing some small specs of black on my Rhode Island Reds' combs.
View attachment 3308634

That's not frostbite.

They look like they naturally stopped bleeding within a few hours and I am going to grab blu-kote today and apply it.

...and they will heal up on their own.
I wouldn't bother with the blu kote, it camouflages the wounds so you can't keep an eye on them.

I have been working on fixing a coop my chickens are in. We have enough space and roosting bars, but I am stuck on what to do next. Here's what I have: View attachment 3308643 View attachment 3308644 View attachment 3308645 View attachment 3308646 View attachment 3308647

You need a better(waterproof) roof with large(~12") overhangs,
to protect the chipboard walls and vents.