Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Sylvester017]

In the News…

https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/artic...for-bird-flu-infectious-disease-expert-warns/

The story gets worse every time a new research surfaces!

 

[Sylvester017]

Don't forget the Spitzhaubens, chantecler, brabanter, houdan, wyandottes, and pavlovskaya...

I'll vote for those!

 

[Sylvester017]

Girls were out for a bit because it's a sweltering 34⁰F with a refreshing windchill (14mph) of 25⁰. And it's sunny! Of course, I had to herd them all back into the run, again.

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Just noticed this while they were out. Frostbite? Picking? Mites (I haven't seen any though)?

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The light was perfect for showing her gold(?) lacing(?), and the black leakage(?) in that feather.

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In freezing temps, the tips of straight combs get frostbite & turn black permanently. A rub of vit E oil on combs helps to keep from frostbite ~ even vaseline works except that will stain the feathers I learned the hard way. I had a Leghorn that got tiny frostbite on her comb so from then on I stayed away from getting any more straight comb breeds.

 

[RoyalChick]

In freezing temps, the tips of straight combs get frostbite & turn black permanently. A rub of vit E oil on combs helps to keep from frostbite ~ even vaseline works except that will stain the feathers I learned the hard way. I had a Leghorn that got tiny frostbite on her comb so from then on I stayed away from getting any more straight comb breeds.

Actually treating with Vaseline can make it worse by trapping moisture next to the skin.

 

[Sylvester017]

New coop is here!
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And the silkie breeder I interact with on faceybooks is now offering 6 eggs!!! That makes them affordable!
https://www.goodwitchhomestead.com/
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Now...I don't NEED show quality silkies...but dang wouldn't they be fun?

Less than $10 per Silkie egg is darn reasonable since we paid an average of $100 for each hatched DNA-sexed Silkie chick here!

 

[Sylvester017]

Actually treating with Vaseline can make it worse by trapping moisture next to the skin.

Vaseline worked for us ~ the only drawback is the vaseline comes off on the feathers & stains the feathers w/dirt when the bird took a dustbath! Our vet recommended E oil but we solved the frostbite problem by not getting any more straight comb breeds.

 

[BY Bob]

This is just the sweetest!

 

[Ponypoor]

In freezing temps, the tips of straight combs get frostbite & turn black permanently. A rub of vit E oil on combs helps to keep from frostbite ~ even vaseline works except that will stain the feathers I learned the hard way. I had a Leghorn that got tiny frostbite on her comb so from then on I stayed away from getting any more straight comb breeds.

Best way to prevent frost bite is to stay out of the wind, sub freezing temps, and not get wet.

Oils and such won’t protect against frost bite, as it is the freezing temps that cause the skin to freeze. Oils won’t protect skin from freezing. Damage from frost hit will take up to a couple weeks to become apparent. Skin will slowly blacken as it dies off, the blackened skin. This is actually necrotic tissue that has died. If the tissue death is extensive infections can set in and sepsis can kill.

Animals like poultry are highly susceptible to frost bite due to their exposed skin, even those with small combs and wattles can get frosted, and legs and feet are also extremely prone to this.

And this is why I do not let my chooks out in the snow, if their feet get wet then they are prone to freezing, better safe than sorry I say. Winter will eventually end, and good weather will arrive - then the chooks can all enjoy the bugs and green grass.

If your chooks get frosted combs there is nothing that can be done other than to keep them in a draft free space, and give pain meds - trust me even minor frost bite is very painful . Tylenol would be fine, I would stay away from aspirin incase the skin starts to bleed.

If the other chooks start to pick at the necrotic skin you will need to keep the animal separate from them until it heals fully. Never ever rub anything on necrotic tissue - keep it dry so it eventually shrivels and falls off.

If you suspect any of your chooks have possible frost bite bring them in a warm location to thaw out slowly, watch for pain and give some Tylenol if so.

If legs are affected then my suggestion is to get vet assistance. Prognosis is extremely poor with legs.

Prevention is always better then cure, once that tissue is dead it’s not growing back.

FYI- same deal with people, if your fingers or toes, nose ears cheeks get frost bite, do not soak in warm water or rub, go into a warm dry location and you can gently warm up by laying you frosted fingers on you belly to warm up, or place a warm hand gently over your ears, nose, cheeks or toes. Never ever rub.

Take some Tylenol for any pain, and see your dr or go to emerg for any required treatment. Especially if you are diabetic - I cannot stress this enough.

Ok enough talk of cold, warm thoughts everyone.

 

[Ponypoor]

Actually treating with Vaseline can make it worse by trapping moisture next to the skin.

Yes that is possible, but it is that actual thermodynamics of cold/heat transfer which is the culprit.

A covering to block cold from sapping the heat from exposed skin is the key, in addition to staying dry. Even if your mitts get wet they will provide some protection against frost bite to your hands, you will be cold but not frozen.

Wind is bad for stripping heat from exposed skin - which is why my cheeks are stinging right now - previously frosted means sensitive always now, it’s not that cold here, but the wind is ferocious and I was put filling the water trough without a face covering. Bad Kelly!

Same happens with animals like poultry with their exposed skin.

 

[featherhead007]

Prevent frostbite this way: