Comb turning black, chapped waddle...

[festivefeet]

Hi there.

I have a buff orpington who will be one in April. I live in MI (cold and snowy) and the hens have the opportunity to stay in the coop or go out in the run. For some reason this hen was outside still by herself last night when I went out to close the coop for the night. I put her in the coop and closed it up. They have a heat lamp in the coop.

When I went out this morning to let them out, I noticed that the tips of her comb were turning black and one of her waddles looks like it is chapped or something.

Any ideas what I should do, if anything?

Jessica

 

[The Chicken People]

Its called frostbite..most people massage the combs and wattles with vaseline!

 

[festivefeet]

Could I use A + D ointment? It's made up of 15.5% Lanolin and 53.4% Petrolatum. Tube says it's uses are: It's used to prevent diaper rash, minor cuts and scrapes, burns, protects and helps relieve chapped, chafed or cracked skin and lips, helps protect fro m the drying effects of wind and cold weather. However, these uses are for humans, not specified for animals.

What do you think?

Also, I am not supposed to keep them in the coop in the winter am I? I have many friends who do not? They allow the chickens the choice.

Thank you.
Jessica

 

[The Chicken People]

Yes you can use A&D. I am keeping my ladies in their coop and run but our temp is negative 4 right now! I know alot of people on here let them make up their minds on in or out! I would keep them in if frostbite has already occured...JMHO!

 

[greenalligators]

Neosporin WITHOUT pain reliever gel is supposed to help heal the frostbitten area. I bought a bottle of blue lotion yesterday and am going to use that so the others top pecking at her comb (might put it on all of the girls so they stop that). Gave the warm oatmeal this morning too-that is supposed to calm them and keep them from picking on one another and reduce the desire for cannablism (not sure why-just off a website). I kept a reptile lamp running 24/7 during this winter. The coop I built has R15 throughout the walls and floor and R10 on the ceiling (yeah, I messed up, should have been the other way around), so that reptile lamps kept the inside around 25-30F when it was -15 outside. I did keep them "cooped" up inside for about a week, but am able to open the door again and let them out. Bought a xylophone and mirror to keep them entertained during that time (if you @greenalligators on tik-tok, you can see them playing their xylophone (again, not my idea, I stole it from a website, so I take no credit on the idea).