Frost bite and rooster hanging head

[Penny Calvert]

My rooster appears to have gotten frost bite and has been hanging his head down into his chest area while on the perch. He acts normal otherwise. He only hangs his head on the perch. Maybe the cold air makes his comb ache. I have been bringing him in at night since i discovered it. I have been rubbing his comb with triple antibiotic cream. It looks the same and is hopefully healing. Anyway, I hope it is frostbite and not some strange comb rotting chicken disease. I love my rooster he is sexy and sassy and would hate to lose him so early in his life. Just got him last spring. I tried to make a video. The light was bad. But I think it shows enough so you will see what I am talking about.

 

[Lazy Farmer]

I and the rest of the community could benefit by knowing your geographical location in you personal details box on the left side of the screen. Then we can rationalize the cold conditions with out asking where approx you are located.
Here in Fl., we just had 3 nights in the low 20's and high teens Fahrenheit. My only frost bite comb was from an open wound healing comb on my Master Roo.

Welcome to the forum.. Glad to meet you and welcome to BYC.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would offer him some water and give him Poultry NutriDrench 3 ml daily or some vitamins in his water. Get those at your feed store. Make sure that he is just dropping his head from weakness, and that it is not stuck down, as it can be in wry neck, a symptom of vitamin E or thiamine deficiency or injury. Frostbite is painful, so I would not touch his comb or bother him too much.

 

[AmazingRachel]

He maybe painful if he's acting lethargic. Apply the antibiotic cream with a Q-Tip to reduce friction. My vet gave me this to apply on my roo when he got frostbite, it's of wounds & burns (frostbite is technically a burn).

 

[micstrachan]

What a pretty boy! Poor guy. Maybe he’s dropping his hesd in hopes of protecting it from further frost bite? That’s not an issue where I live, but everything I’ve read says humidity plays a much larger role than cold when it comes to frost bite. Is the coop well ventilated?

 

[Penny Calvert]

Sorry I have not replied but have been reading the posts. He is disoriented when I take him out and place him on the ground in the morning. He sorta runs around bossing the girls around like he has had too much to drink. His feet look like he is having trouble getting them grounded. After a few minutes he seems to get sobered up and acts like a normal rooster. Later on in the day he acts normal, until night comes and he gets on the perch and just starts hanging his head like he is tucking it into his chest. I sometimes see him shaking his head in the day time. Also I noticed his feces is dry and break apart when they hit the ground. He shares his water bowl with the girls and I have not monitored his fluid intake. I will go to store and get the items mentioned and try to isolate him for a few days. See how he does in a few days. Thanks for the replies. They are much appreciated.

 

[Penny Calvert]

What a pretty boy! Poor guy. Maybe he’s dropping his hesd in hopes of protecting it from further frost bite? That’s not an issue where I live, but everything I’ve read says humidity plays a much larger role than cold when it comes to frost bite. Is the coop well ventilated?

Got some Nutri-Drench, Electrolytes and Microcyn AH spray. And I am gonna keep him in the house for a week if I can handle the 0430 crowing he starts way too early, LOL! As I see it, we have no choice since he needs this time to heal, rest and to stay out of the cold. Hopefully the weather will warm up here by then. This really is just the usual NC cold weather that we get here that usually don't last long. Oh and yes my coop is well ventilated. I have a vented roof and floor that allows for a breezeway and air to circulate. Anyway that is what the builder told me. Thanks again for your help and suggestions.

 

[Penny Calvert]

I would offer him some water and give him Poultry NutriDrench 3 ml daily or some vitamins in his water. Get those at your feed store. Make sure that he is just dropping his head from weakness, and that it is not stuck down, as it can be in wry neck, a symptom of vitamin E or thiamine deficiency or injury. Frostbite is painful, so I would not touch his comb or bother him too much.

Got some Nutri-Drench, Electrolytes and Microcyn AH spray. And I am gonna keep him in the house for a week if I can handle the 0430 crowing he starts way too early, LOL! As I see it, we have no choice since he needs this time to heal, rest and to stay out of the cold. Hopefully the weather will warm up here by then. This really is just the usual NC cold weather that we get here that usually don't last long. Oh and yes my coop is well ventilated. I have a vented roof and floor that allows for a breezeway and air to circulate. Anyway that is what the builder told me. Thanks again for your help and suggestions.