Big Red is getting frostbite!

[Chelseyb123]

Hello its my first. Chicken winter here in maine an i have big red here who gets pecked on A LOT an so far since temps an weather have been crappy its only been dry blood. But today NOPE! On the back of comb an bottom of waddles have started looling blackish an whitish pink check out the pics. I brought him inside since its -5°f if not more now tonight.

 

[Chelseyb123]

Big red

 

[bobbi-j]

The problem with him being inside after being outside and growing his down coat is he may get uncomfortably warm. The only way to save that comb is to keep him inside all winter, since it's bound to be cold for a few months yet. I have had roosters with large combs and wattles get "winter dubbed" and they survive it just fine. They just look different. One thing that will help is in the future, get birds with smaller combs and wattles. Pea-combs are good in cold environments.

Is there any way you can separate him within the coop to keep him from getting pecked on?

 

[4 ever Orpington]

Big red

Handsome!

 

[Chelseyb123]

Oh i know he was suppose to be a hen like my two other roos that have peacombs. The rest of my flock has small combs ect. Hes the only one with a really comb an waddwit. Thats whete the name came from lol. But oh I knew when winter really hit it would be a problem an since he gets pecked on a lot an at night. Hes in my basement in a cage its about 30-40down there id say. I will definitly build something to keep him separated or put him in the cage at night an put a little roost in it as well. But its mostly from mating i think because daddy roo always goes for th back of comb an waddles. I think if he wasnt pecked on it wouldn't be as big of a problem. I do know i have to many roos four all together. Ive tried to find him a home an dont want to cull him. Hes well mannered. Tonight is just to cold for me to feel comfortable for him to be out there since its started to turn colors an below zero.

The problem with him being inside after being outside and growing his down coat is he may get uncomfortably warm. The only way to save that comb is to keep him inside all winter, since it's bound to be cold for a few months yet. I have had roosters with large combs and wattles get "winter dubbed" and they survive it just fine. They just look different. One thing that will help is in the future, get birds with smaller combs and wattles. Pea-combs are good in cold environments.

Is there any way you can separate him within the coop to keep him from getting pecked on?

 

[Chelseyb123]

Thank you he looks much better when not pecked on an dry blood every where

 

[Chullicken]

Well if you can't find him a home and you don't want to cull, maybe consider having him in his own pen and run adjacent to the main one(If you pen them?). He gets the social interaction without the issues. Once he is out of the picture though, I fear whomever is next lowest will have the same issue with what you've said is to many roosters to hens. Fowl hierarchy never stops regardless if you keep removing them as you probably know already.

 

[Chelseyb123]

No its possible for me to set something up for him. I made them a 30×30 pen maybe bigger not sure for the winter an when im not home they free range in th summer. But i have plenty of building materials and a roll of chicken wire to put over the top ao he cant fly out. ill have to build something this week. yeah i want him to be able to be with them with out problems. Thank you for the idea! Ill bring back out tomorrow when i go to feed them. i brought him in when they were roosting in the dark.

Well if you can't find him a home and you don't want to cull, maybe consider having him in his own pen and run adjacent to the main one(If you pen them?). He gets the social interaction without the issues. Once he is out of the picture though, I fear whomever is next lowest will have the same issue with what you've said is to many roosters to hens. Fowl hierarchy never stops regardless if you keep removing them as you probably know already.

 

[Chullicken]

No its possible for me to set something up for him. I made them a 30×30 pen maybe bigger not sure for the winter an when im not home they free range in th summer. But i have plenty of building materials and a roll of chicken wire to put over the top ao he cant fly out. ill have to build something this week. yeah i want him to be able to be with them with out problems. Thank you for the idea! Ill bring back out tomorrow when i go to feed them. i brought him in when they were roosting in the dark.

Very welcome, I have a soft heart for roosters. lol..people keep dropping them off on my lawn at odd times at night..bastards. Keep us updated on this guy please.=)

 

[Care for chicks]

Handsome!

Yep!