Frost Bite On Comb... What To Do

[jaimslee4u]

Does anyone know what to do to stop frost bite on the combs? My girls have a couple of black tips that I am assuming is frost bite. How do I treat and stop from happening? Vaseline?

 

[ecocheapomom]

This is my first winter with chickens so I am by no means an expert, but I have had problems with frostbite and was putting vaseline and anitbiotic ointment on and they kept getting worse. The folks at my feed store recommended that I leave them alone and let the natural healing process occur and all the chickens seem to be doing much better. I guess the combs can actually have parts that will fall off due to frostbite, but some people have told me this is fine and they will actually have less problems in the future.

 

[Opa]

Sometimes in spite of your best precautions they will get frostbitten. Anything that has turned black is going to fall off.

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Coat the comb liberally with A & D Ointment. It always worked for me

 

[jaimslee4u]

One more question.... Bleeding feet? This is new this morning. I am worried it might cause an infection now. No matter how much you clean a chicken coop is just not the best place to have open wounds. I am guessing it is just the cold and they are cracking. Any ideas?

 

[Pumpkinpup]

Quote:
I don't have any experience with this so I am gonna bump your thread in the hopes that someone who will know will respond to this question. Good luck

 

[davidb]

I just leave the frost bite to mother nature, not sure whats causing the feet to bleed they shouldn't crack open from the cold, are they standing in mud or water

 

[Oopoo]

I have frostbite on one hen (large comb) The best you can do is watch for drying up and eventually it will fall off. I did the vaseline thing once, I don't think it matters if the comb is large. My girls get very red inbetween the toes when there's a lot of moisture where they are walking. Keep the coop clean and the run, try adding straw or shavings to your run if you can't make it drier. Good luck

 

[chickenlady]

Can you describe their living conditions? Sounds as though the coop may not be winterized properly. What are they roosting on? You need to make sure it is wide enough that their feet are fully open so their feathers and body can cover them. Sounds like you may have a moisture/ventilation issue going on here.

 

[jaimslee4u]

Well we built the coop so it may not be the best. It is If I remember correctly 6x4 or 8x4. I know it was enough for six. I use the deep litter method so a lot of shavings in the bottom and I also put hay around the sides & in nest boxes for extra warmth. The perch is actually a 2x3. They have a door that we put down at night to keep the draft out and we open in the morning.

The run may be the problem. We keep having very cold snowy weather than it warms up & melts & freezes again. I know it deffinatley is cold on thier feet because they will stand with one then switch and tuck the other under. It unfortunatley has been cold enough that thier little feet may be getting slightly frozen stuck to the ground.

I think I am going to do a complete gut out today (in the 9 degree weather) and put fresh shavings in.