First winter and I have 2 chickens with frostbite

[mseely]

Okay so I live in eastern Iowa and it's my first winter. This past week it's been below zero a couple of days. I've been using a heat lamp in the coop which I've read a lot of controversy about doing. Anyways two of my barred rock hens have frostbite on their combs. I've brought them inside but I don't know if that Was the right thing to do. Also I don't know if it's okay to leave my other 5 hens outside. They all are fully feathers but most of their combs haven't grown in yet as they are 6 months old. I just keep reading so many things that condridict each other so I'm not sure the right thing to do. Anything helps, thanks.

 

[Welshies]

Frostbite is fine if only on the tips of the comb. If on the whole comb or spreading beyond just the tips, it's not okay. Frostbite on the tips is normal and happens all the time. Don't touch it, it will either come off or heal on its own.
Use vaseline to prevent it. Heat lamps won't prevent it, I suggest taking your birds off the heat lamp. Heat lamps are for warmth only- my 8 wk old chicks and adult birds are fine without a heat lamp in -40 temps.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

I would make sure your coop isn't wet at all, and at the top of your coop have ventilation. Also make the nesting bars wide enough to fit your chickens whole foot on it. This should help some.

 

[junebuggena]

Pics of your coop. Lack of ventilation is the most likely culprit of the frostbite.

 

[mseely]

I'm more concerned about the wattles than the comb. I have ventilation holes in the top but there is nothing I can immediately do about my coop. So should I bring them inside or in the garage?

 

[PingoBags]

Looks like mild frostbite. Nothing to worry about yet.

 

[mseely]

Looks like mild frostbite. Nothing to worry about yet.

So do I keep them outside still and act like nothing is happening? How do I know that it's getting worse?

 

[Welshies]

So do I keep them outside still and act like nothing is happening? How do I know that it's getting worse?

Keep applying vaseline and keep them outside or they will have to be inside for the whole winter. Watch in case it spreads.

 

[mseely]

Keep applying vaseline and keep them outside or they will have to be inside for the whole winter. Watch in case it spreads.

They've been inside an hour should I put them back outside or just keep them in? I already have a hen who's severely molting in here and one chick who I didn't want to risk having in the cold.

 

[Welshies]

They've been inside an hour should I put them back outside or just keep them in? I already have a hen who's severely molting in here and one chick who I didn't want to risk having in the cold.

What you can do is put them back outside under a heat lamp, to reclimatize them. If they are in for more than a couple days the process is much more extensive.