Frost Bite, anything else I can do?

[Frazzemrat1]

We have had colder than normal temps here in New England for a while now. The only girl I’ve been concerned for is our leghorn. Despite my best efforts, I think she’s going to lose a third of her comb. Is there anything else I can do for her? To make her comfortable?

 

[centrarchid]

Keep her in the dry, on good food, with access to water. She will be fighting an infection as the dead tissue is sloughed off. Be watching her feet as well. Check her weight frequently. Underweight can contribute to frostbite.

 

[ChickNanny13]

Maybe some Nutri Drench (vitamin/electrolytes) in her water.

 

[Rob Tof]

I’m having the same issue with my leg horn 3 of the 5 fingers on her comb have gotten frost bite. Last night it reached 1 deg. I set up a heat lamp that I screwed in so it can’t fall. Next I will put insulation in top rafters to keep in some of the heat.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

THanks guys. This was part of why I didn’t want a leghorn, or something like her, with the big comb. Sigh. She was free with my chic order last year. I know better now to just order 6.

 

[Rob Tof]

Leg horns are great egg producers. She is so tame she follows me around the yard like a puppy when there’s no snow on the ground. I just need to figure a way to keep her warm. I tried one of my sons Sox’s on her head with a hole for her eyes and beak. She flipped out till she got it off. Hear I was just trying to help her and almost hurt her. Don’t try that one. Big fail.

 

[Frazzemrat1]

They are big producers, but I had decided against them due to the cold and their combs. The rest of my girls are either rose or pea combs, and the three that are single combs have the small single combs. Cest la vie. I move on.

 

[Stayc]

Im having the same issues with my rooster. My girls are fine but 3 tips now have frostbite and I'm getting concerned. 7 degrees is our coldest so far. I put Vaseline on his comb today. He didn't seem to mind it. Best of luck to you and your leghorn <3

 

[centrarchid]

I will have close to 20 birds this year, mostly roosters with frostbite, which is about typical when not dubbed. It is seldom serious so long as restricted to comb and wattles. Besides watching for complications, I do little to treat and recovery is complete minus points on combs. The comb and wattles are not essential for the chickens, unless you are into showing them. The bright side is they have less to get frozen in coming years.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

THanks guys. This was part of why I didn’t want a leghorn, or something like her, with the big comb. Sigh. She was free with my chic order last year. I know better now to just order 6.

Leg horns are great egg producers. She is so tame she follows me around the yard like a puppy when there’s no snow on the ground. I just need to figure a way to keep her warm. I tried one of my sons Sox’s on her head with a hole for her eyes and beak. She flipped out till she got it off. Hear I was just trying to help her and almost hurt her. Don’t try that one. Big fail.

@Frazzemrat1 How is your Leghorn?

I too have one of those leghorns that was "free" She is a hoot - I had never considered a Leghorn since I figured they might be too flighty or not do as well with my "docile" girls. I have been pleasantly surprised! And she is an egg laying girl!

@Rob Tof I just can't help but get tickled over your post - the image of putting a sox on your leghorn cracks me up