Definitely frostbite - continue with bag balm or no?

[Soon2BChixMom]

Here's Ruby with her frostbitten comb. It started last week when I got nervous about leaving the window to the coop open due to the frigid temps. I put bag balm on all of their combs once I noticed Ruby's comb. I didn't put anything on after that one night due to reading so many conflicting threads and advice regarding frostbite. Our temps have been in the negatives. I don't see any signs of humidity - no condensation and no strong amonia smell. Her comb is much larger than the others. Also, today I noticed she is shaking her head. Is that due to the frostbite or did I put too much on and she doesn't like it? I tried to take off any excess and rubbed it in well. She sat pretty still for me on my lap. I'm sure she is going to lose part of the comb. Some of the coloring could be due to dust bathing. At least my other girls' heads are covered in ash dust.
Her comb is more red in color than the other IBs. Theirs are paler and dusty due to dust baths - if that makes any difference.
The roost is under the window, but not by much. I also put a piece of plastic sheeting over it to keep out rain and snow, but it is only secured at the top to let air flow.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That is frostbite. It will heal up without you doing anything to it. I don't mess with them because it's painful and you can damage more tissue.

I would either move the roost or seal up the window totally. All my windows I close up in winter. It gets too cold her for vents. I have an open door facing south and west, and everything out of the north and west are blocked.

Sometimes no matter what you do they still get frostbite.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

If I close the window, there might not be enough air flow. It does face south, but like last night the snow blew from the south.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would agree that her comb is frostbitten, and it may be best not to handle it. It will eventually round off where the tips have been affected. She should be fine. We are having single digit temps this week, and I have provided overhead ventilation high up in my coop, but have sealed up windows with plastic. You can always cover just the bottom 2/3 of the window with plastic. Do you have air circulation around the roof? There is not a whole lot you can do to prevent combs from getting frostbit, but I do try to prevent spilled water since their toes and feet can get it as well. My roosts are 2x4’s with the flat side up so they can lie down on their legs and feet.

 

[Laodicia]

If I close the window, there might not be enough air flow. It does face south, but like last night the snow blew from the south.

the only pics of prevailing winds I could find for you general area it looks like winter can have winds from mainly west but on occasion north and south as well so, maybe see about trying to add something in just for the winter due east for ventilation?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I would agree that her comb is frostbitten, and it may be best not to handle it. It will eventually round off where the tips have been affected. She should be fine. We are having single digit temps this week, and I have provided overhead ventilation high up in my coop, but have sealed up windows with plastic. You can always cover just the bottom 2/3 of the window with plastic. Do you have air circulation around the roof? There is not a whole lot you can do to prevent combs from getting frostbit, but I do try to prevent spilled water since their toes and feet can get it as well. My roosts are 2x4’s with the flat side up so they can lie down on their legs and feet.

Not intentional air flow. I should have added vents, but I did not get around to it.
Their water is in the run and I try to spill as little as possible. I also rake it up if I've spilled too much. I noticed that when Ruby takes a drink she kind of flings it and it gets on her comb. Silly girl. But, it is up on a brick so it is at chest level.
Do you think I should put vitamin E on it? It was suggested in another thread.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

the only pics of prevailing winds I could find for you general area it looks like winter can have winds from mainly west but on occasion north and south as well so, maybe see about trying to add something in just for the winter due east for ventilation?

Yeah, I saw that when I looked into the wind direction for my area. Luckily, the coop is next to a shed and the shed is on the west side of the coop. So that side is blocked for the wind. The window faces the south and I have had to close it due to strong winds with rain and snow. Most of the time, I can keep it open. I worked on the coop in 30 degree weather which would feel quite balmy this last week. I had problems with being too cold - especially my hands since I could not work with gloves on. So, I can't imagine trying to put in vents in the frigid temps now. I should have gotten it done earlier. I'm mad at myself.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Not intentional air flow. I should have added vents, but I did not get around to it.
Their water is in the run and I try to spill as little as possible. I also rake it up if I've spilled too much. I noticed that when Ruby takes a drink she kind of flings it and it gets on her comb. Silly girl. But, it is up on a brick so it is at chest level.
Do you think I should put vitamin E on it? It was suggested in another thread.

I have no clue what vitamin E would do except to add more moisture which will cause more frostbite. Let nature do it's job, chickens almost always heal up without any assistance. The only time I would ever interfere is if the wounds are extensive. Frostbite I see every winter, it's normal here. Keep smaller comb birds in the future if you want to try to avoid it.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I have no clue what vitamin E would do except to add more moisture which will cause more frostbite. Let nature do it's job, chickens almost always heal up without any assistance. The only time I would ever interfere is if the wounds are extensive. Frostbite I see every winter, it's normal here. Keep smaller comb birds in the future if you want to try to avoid it.

These were given to me. The other two IBs have no problems, this girl has a huge comb and wattles, that's why I named her ruby. Her ruby red comb. She's still laying eggs though, so she must not feel too bad.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

These were given to me. The other two IBs have no problems, this girl has a huge comb and wattles, that's why I named her ruby. Her ruby red comb. She's still laying eggs though, so she must not feel too bad.

Most seem to barely feel it. Good she's still laying.