Frost Bite, anything else I can do?

[ShellyLynnW]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/cases/henna

I'm sorry, but I do not understand how this article pertains to my situation?? I am worried about another chicken with a bloody neck (don't know if it's the bantam rooster? The pecking order since my previous girl passed the other day?) It's not bleeding NEAR the amount as Prudence was the other night before she passed, not near as bad... But, they are in a well insulated, large heated coop. Until the temp raises, they have no interest in going out and therefore they have no exposure to windchills outside. The coop is NOT drafty, lots of bedding everywhere to help keep them warm, and certainly lots of fresh water and an always full couple of food dishes. (As well as treats). The article I read was extremely sad, about a terrible situation where birds died, and one lost its legs due to severe neglect and cruelty! I cried when it explained in detail the loss of her legs. But with all I've done for my girls, it is still not warm like summer, or fall, and I have never lost a chicken from injury. The only difference I know of, certainly, is the lower temperature. Just wondering if that affects their ability to heal, or could it be that chickens that normally free range, might not leave her alone inside the coop? Before answering, it's a very large coop, with many perches, ladders, "toys", snacks, food & water sources, just my first year with my sweeties and don't know if I should go buy a couple more heaters?? It feels pretty comfortable in there for me, but I am not the birds!?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

My first year with my girls, so first winter. We started with 10 beautiful sweet Leghorns, 2 small white silkie hens, a white silkie rooster and an interesting little bantam rooster of Silkie Cochin mix, lol, he's cute in his own way. Unfortunately, we found one of our precious girls, Prudence, a Leghorn, all bloody on her comb, side of face and neck. This had never happened!? I used bluecoat and set her up in a cage inside the coop with vitamin/probiotic/electrolyte water and food and sadly, the next morning she was gone... Does anyone think the cold made it harder for her to recover? I'm so mad at myself, and so sad. The chickens have tons of room, I don't know what happened, but I'm so worried about what to do if this happens again, especially during this very cold time! I was told Leghorns were not very good for anything but laying, but I'd already had them when I was hearing this and wasn't about to get rid of my cute little chicks. I can pleasantly say, that everyone who said that was so very wrong! They are sweet, loving, follow me around the yard and great layers to boot! I am saving $ for Maremma's this spring , and hoping to add more Silkie's and Leghorns! One of my Leghorns even went broody last Fall, so I'm hoping to hatch myself?? But, either way, any thoughts on the cold affecting my girls ability to heal? Also, any suggestions on them laying in the rafters, hard to get the eggs that way, lol.

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss

It's hard to know what the cause of her death was. She may have succumbed to injuries you couldn't see. If she had been bloodied up/picked on , then she may also injured herself getting away from the others (flew into a wall, etc.). Chickens can die from so many things - just take comfort that you treated the wounds that could be seen, provided her protection and care.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Yes, please read this.....http://www.poultrydvm.com/cases/henna

I'm sorry, but I do not understand how this article pertains to my situation?? I am worried about another chicken with a bloody neck (don't know if it's the bantam rooster? The pecking order since my previous girl passed the other day?) It's not bleeding NEAR the amount as Prudence was the other night before she passed, not near as bad... But, they are in a well insulated, large heated coop. Until the temp raises, they have no interest in going out and therefore they have no exposure to windchills outside. The coop is NOT drafty, lots of bedding everywhere to help keep them warm, and certainly lots of fresh water and an always full couple of food dishes. (As well as treats). The article I read was extremely sad, about a terrible situation where birds died, and one lost its legs due to severe neglect and cruelty! I cried when it explained in detail the loss of her legs. But with all I've done for my girls, it is still not warm like summer, or fall, and I have never lost a chicken from injury. The only difference I know of, certainly, is the lower temperature. Just wondering if that affects their ability to heal, or could it be that chickens that normally free range, might not leave her alone inside the coop? Before answering, it's a very large coop, with many perches, ladders, "toys", snacks, food & water sources, just my first year with my sweeties and don't know if I should go buy a couple more heaters?? It feels pretty comfortable in there for me, but I am not the birds!?

@ShellyLynnW that article does not apply to you. Yes, it's a heartbreaking article - This link has been shared/posted on several winter threads - hopefully we are misinterpreting @annaBsChick intentions (since she has posted on multiple threads) and she is just showing/sharing an example of what severe frostbite and neglect looks like and is not implying that anyone here is treating their animals this way.

Now... @ShellyLynnW I somehow missed that you have another chicken that is injured? I'm sure you have already done so, but place her in the separation cage inside your coop. Check the wounds out and apply your BluKote if they are not too deep.
Photos, if you want to share them are welcome.

Since this is the second one with injuries - look to see if there is discourse between flock members or could you possibly have some kind of predator coming in and attacking. Birds that are staying in when it's cold outside can get testy with one another. How much space do you have if you don't mind telling. I see you provide snacks in the coop - if you have room - add more than one feed station - I just usually place a bowl in the coop during cold weather, but have room to put a couple. I can also hang some fresh veggies like Kale or cabbage. We will try to help you find a solution, let us now how they are doing.

 

[ShellyLynnW]

I'm very sorry to hear about your loss

It's hard to know what the cause of her death was. She may have succumbed to injuries you couldn't see. If she had been bloodied up/picked on , then she may also injured herself getting away from the others (flew into a wall, etc.). Chickens can die from so many things - just take comfort that you treated the wounds that could be seen, provided her protection and care.

Thank you very much, I love my girls so much, and I did notice some blood on the wall, it's so hard to lose any of your sweet ones, thank you again

 

[ShellyLynnW]

@ShellyLynnW that article does not apply to you. Yes, it's a heartbreaking article - This link has been shared/posted on several winter threads - hopefully we are misinterpreting @annaBsChick intentions (since she has posted on multiple threads) and she is just showing/sharing an example of what severe frostbite and neglect looks like and is not implying that anyone here is treating their animals this way.

Now... @ShellyLynnW I somehow missed that you have another chicken that is injured? I'm sure you have already done so, but place her in the separation cage inside your coop. Check the wounds out and apply your BluKote if they are not too deep.
Photos, if you want to share them are welcome.

Since this is the second one with injuries - look to see if there is discourse between flock members or could you possibly have some kind of predator coming in and attacking. Birds that are staying in when it's cold outside can get testy with one another. How much space do you have if you don't mind telling. I see you provide snacks in the coop - if you have room - add more than one feed station - I just usually place a bowl in the coop during cold weather, but have room to put a couple. I can also hang some fresh veggies like Kale or cabbage. We will try to help you find a solution, let us now how they are doing.

Thank you very much for letting me know this. I was heartbroken by that sad article and, I know some people think I'm ridiculous, but I take the loss of any of my girls rather hard, so that was just too sad to read now.
Our coop is 20x24, with a lot of height as well. Multiple feeding and watering stations. I know it sounds large for (now) 9 Leghorns and 4 bantams, but we'll actually be adding to our flock (and also the coop will get bigger actually, lol), and I thought it was best to have more room than less! The girls have tons of perches, places to go for a little privacy, etc. I will definitely try the kale and veggies. We had a cabbage hanging up for them, but they weren't interested. Now that it's been so cold they don't want to go out, maybe I'll try it again.
Again, I really appreciate your responding to my confusion, and for the great ideas! If my phone will let me, I'll try to get some pictures up to see if anyone has anymore ideas. Bless you

 

[Molpet]

http://www.poultrydvm.com/cases/henna

umm stuck in a snow bank w/no food or water is a bit of an extreme example... IMHO

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you very much, I love my girls so much, and I did notice some blood on the wall, it's so hard to lose any of your sweet ones, thank you again

Thank you very much for letting me know this. I was heartbroken by that sad article and, I know some people think I'm ridiculous, but I take the loss of any of my girls rather hard, so that was just too sad to read now.
Our coop is 20x24, with a lot of height as well. Multiple feeding and watering stations. I know it sounds large for (now) 9 Leghorns and 4 bantams, but we'll actually be adding to our flock (and also the coop will get bigger actually, lol), and I thought it was best to have more room than less! The girls have tons of perches, places to go for a little privacy, etc. I will definitely try the kale and veggies. We had a cabbage hanging up for them, but they weren't interested. Now that it's been so cold they don't want to go out, maybe I'll try it again.
Again, I really appreciate your responding to my confusion, and for the great ideas! If my phone will let me, I'll try to get some pictures up to see if anyone has anymore ideas. Bless you

Great coop size! I would love to have one that big Bigger is better when it comes to chickens.

We'll be happy to try to give you more ideas.

Chickens can be picky at times, so if it's been a while since you tried the hanging veggies give it another try. They may just not like it. Mine do, and think they will die if they don't get something fresh everyday I start week 1 in the brooder getting them used to fruits/veggies - they don't necessarily eat it, but I want them to become familiar with it.

You may want to hold the veggie in your hand, if your girls will hand feed, then break off little pieces - mine love to nip off little pieces (usually a daily routine), but they like pretty much everything. Once you get one to "like it" the others usually do too (or as greedy chickens want what the other has). I usually hang it in 2places and maybe even chop up a little and scatter it - this avoids kale wars - LOL

 

[ShellyLynnW]

Great coop size! I would love to have one that big Bigger is better when it comes to chickens.

We'll be happy to try to give you more ideas.

Chickens can be picky at times, so if it's been a while since you tried the hanging veggies give it another try. They may just not like it. Mine do, and think they will die if they don't get something fresh everyday I start week 1 in the brooder getting them used to fruits/veggies - they don't necessarily eat it, but I want them to become familiar with it.

You may want to hold the veggie in your hand, if your girls will hand feed, then break off little pieces - mine love to nip off little pieces (usually a daily routine), but they like pretty much everything. Once you get one to "like it" the others usually do too (or as greedy chickens want what the other has). I usually hang it in 2places and maybe even chop up a little and scatter it - this avoids kale wars - LOL

Thank you so much!!! I will definitely try hanging veggies again. The girls LOVE to have the yard to roam, so even with their large coop, they're getting antsy! You're so right, lol, the girls want what the others have, so hopefully I can handfeed some of my girls veggies, and what wonderful advice about the brooder!! I'll be having new chicks soon (woohoo!!), and I'll definitely stay them with vegetables early on! I've spoiled my girls beyond reason!