Frost bite on combs, what to do? Extremely cold here

[Danadoo6]

I have 8 chickens, 2 of whom have frostbite on combs. They are about 9 mos old. One is a black austrolorp, and the other is a buff Orpington. Last night the weather was down to -13 with significant winds (run is covered with plastic, coop is dry and ventilated). Today, the two girls have concerning amounts of frostbite. Weather is going to warm up into 30’s this week, cold snap behind us for now. My question is, what should I do to help my girls, or, is there anything? I have read many articles and still don’t have an answer. Thank you for any advice.

 

[Lydia parker]

Vaseline works well to help prevent frostbite. I work at an animal sanctuary and when the weather gets really cold we put Vaseline on our chickens/cockerels wattles and combs. We do this daily and always see a good result. Hope this has helped

 

[Danadoo6]

What to do when they already look like mine?

 

[Lydia parker]

I have seen worse before, I would say try to keep them as warm as possible with extra bedding and I can see you have already mentioned you have covered the run so that will help loads. I’d still put the Vaseline on and do a nice thick layer on the combs, it won’t make the colour go away immediately but the Vaseline sort of acts as an insulator with the texture being so thick so it will help even though you won’t physically see a difference straight away it definitely has an impact. I also use snuggle safes which are a plastic microwaveable heat pad that come with a protective cover so they don’t burn the animals, they stay warm for hours so they are good to heat up of a night time and put in with the chickens to help keep them warm. They’re pretty cheap and last a long time when heated up.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

If it gets really cold, this is what I do. I have a heat lamp hanging above the roost, and I turn it on a while before bedtime, and they will huddle close. It has been working very well for me.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

That's a good amount of frostbite for hens and Mass. weather. I don't believe you've enough ventilation or they are roosting in that short box area with heads in draft. You should take an objective look at your coop and roosting area and think about improvements that can be made. Granted they are large combed birds but even so only the very tops of tines would have been bitten.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I was told not to do anything once the frostbite has occurred as it could hurt to touch them. What kind of ventilation do you have, your coop set up, and number of birds?
I have also read that at certain temps and with certain type of combs, frostbite is expected. Vaseline may or may not work before frostbite sets in. I have read it has more to do with proper ventilation and draft free coops.

 

[Danadoo6]

That's a good amount of frostbite for hens and Mass. weather. I don't believe you've enough ventilation or they are roosting in that short box area with heads in draft. You should take an objective look at your coop and roosting area and think about improvements that can be made. Granted they are large combed birds but even so only the very tops of tines would have been bitten.

Actually, the pic was while she was laying an egg in the nesting box, the roost is in a different place, that is just where I caught her when I took the pic for this post. The weather this last week has been record lows, so it has been tough. I really appreciate your feedback and will definitely be looking at all the components you suggest. The other 6 hens are ok so far, several with single combs like that, so it is weird.