Frost bite or ?

[Nevin]

Hello. We have a 4-5 y/o hen who we noticed wasn’t doing well about 2 weeks ago. We brought her indoors and isolated her. When we found her she was weak and wobbly on the floor of the coop. Her feet looked swollen and her legs red. We wondered about scaly leg mights so soaked her feet and coated with oil. Also boosted vitamins and probiotics, treated out of precaution for coccidia. She is eating and drinking and eliminating fine. BUT she seems thin / light to me. And her poor legs. I’d wondered about bumble foot but did not see the classic signs. I now suspect she may have frost bitten her feet. She is the only one with this condiction, and we have wide roosting planks with heat tape affixed to them. Sadly, one foot is black and shriveled. The other we have wrapped, are treating with antibiotic ointment and are watching carefully. Any thoughts? Her skin on these poor feet sloughed off. We’d hoped foot -#1 would heal but it just shriveled. Foot #2 seems to be hanging in there. She is not laying, but as an older hen we aren’t expecting it.

 

[gtaus]

I live in northern Minnesota, and, unfortunately, my chickens can get frostbite on their combs in the dead of winter. I have not seen any frostbite on their feet or legs. I think this is because I use a 2X4 laid flat for their roost. They can roost on the 2X4 and can cover their feet and legs with their body. I really think that helps.

and we have wide roosting planks with heat tape affixed to them.

I have never heard of using heat tape on the roosts. Is it possible that hen was on a section of the heat tape that was too hot? A chicken's body temp is about 105 degrees, so their feet should be plenty warm when tucked up into their feathers.

Sure sounds like something bad happened to your hen with black and shriveled legs. Fortunately, I have not (yet) had to deal with that issue. I hope someone with experience can offer some advice for you. Take care.