Any suggestions on how to solve our frostbite problem?

[annagarret]

I put lot's of fresh snow in a bowl, they eat it. I have one hen that even eats ice chips!! I do go outside twice a day to give them warm water though. Tonight it's going to be -25

. I can't wait for spring.....or atleast a constistent 30 degrees!!!

 

[JonB]

I put lot's of fresh snow in a bowl, they eat it. I have one hen that even eats ice chips!! I do go outside twice a day to give them warm water though. Tonight it's going to be -25

. I can't wait for spring.....or atleast a constistent 30 degrees!!!

Our birds are snow eaters too, which is cool if we can't get to their water change for awhile. Chickens are quite adaptable and hardy when the right specie is chosen. Our birds are all doing well.

 

[chicknmania]

Our barn is big and there's plenty of ventilation. All of our roos, except the ones with small pea combs, got very bad frostbite during the polar vortex. I honestly don't think the ventilation made much difference. Even one of our roos who has a pea comb got terrible frost bite on his, and I think his legs are frost bitten too. I wish I knew a way to prevent it, but other than insulation, I'm not sure what it would be. It looks terrible but it seems to be healing up ok...as much as frostbite ever does. Neosporin wouldn't really do much because the tissue has already been damaged beyond repair....
I often wondered about putting little knit caps on them...

Not that we could catch ours to do that anyway...but it might be something to try, for some....?

 

[annagarret]

Our birds are snow eaters too, which is cool if we can't get to their water change for awhile. Chickens are quite adaptable and hardy when the right specie is chosen. Our birds are all doing well.

Your'e right...do you find yourself thinking about them more now in this deep freeze? I even had a dream about them the other night!!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

What works for some doesn't work for all. I'll just reiterate that it should be known that chickening in cold weather...unfortunately is trial and error for many because we all have different number of birds, different coop styles that vent different. And the key is to watch your flock

I've watched wattles frostbite and freeze right after giving wet feed or warm oatmeal and squash. I'm talking -10 to -30 F. So for me I'm not going to be giving anything but the dry stuff at those temps. A young college girl in a nearby town passed out on her neighbors' open porch in -26 F weather right before Christmas. her hands were exposed and believe me there was plenty of ventilation. She was found with her hands ballooned and splitting open... and now they are amputated. This is a human vs. chickens story, I know...but if you think about exposed skin: Cold is cold folks. A large single comb exposed long enough to those temps isn't probably going to make it without some damage. Just my two cents.

-26 F the last two days. Winter from H- E- double hockey sticks. But keeping the birdies well in the coop. tomorrow we'll be above zero and they can stretch their legs.

 

[annagarret]

That's so sad to hear about that girl..

 

[SIMZ]

What works for some doesn't work for all. I'll just reiterate that it should be known that chickening in cold weather...unfortunately is trial and error for many because we all have different number of birds, different coop styles that vent different. And the key is to watch your flock

-26 F the last two days. Winter from H- E- double hockey sticks. But keeping the birdies well in the coop. tomorrow we'll be above zero and they can stretch their legs.

I've had the same experience with oatmeal and a water bowl on the ground. It won't be something I do again, either, but agree that everyone can have different experiences.


This winter has been crazy cold!! (Although, nothing like yours, Bogtown.) Today I'll take the outside rabbit back out, only to plan on bringing him back in on Sunday night since they're calling for more below 0 temps. I finally gave up with hauling the bantams around and just permanently moved them into the coop/hutch that is set up in the garage. I have adjusted my definition of "cold" this winter. It's not really cold until it's going to be below 0. lol

 

[SIMZ]

Those comb caps are cute!!

5 below last night here and our birds are doing fine with no frost bite. I give them plenty of cracked corn in bowls when I visit daily and clean the poop boards and refresh their water. The pop doors and upper vents (down wind) are always open. I use three 250W heat lamps in a large coop for our 30 chickens and hanging heated water dispensers. 15 below is forecasted here soon.

Great set-up! It looks very comfortable for you hens.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Great set-up! It looks very comfortable for you hens.

x2. I love those winter pictures of that set up for those chickens.

 

[chicknmania]

I think ours are getting used. to it.

They had a little break temperature wise this weekend...getting ready for the grand finale first part of the week...
double deep freeze! Gack!!!!