frost bite

[3 sisters farm]

I have several birds that have gotten too cold earlier in Dec.....record cold and snow where it does not happen, one hen got a foot literally frozen...she got stuck under the coop...when I counted fluffy butts...noticed one missing and found her...she has resided in the house for about 2 1/2 weeks...she is even laying eggs. Her foot (the toes are curled up, blisters scabbed over, the color is about normal now...no blackness at all, swelling down, she bears weight but her foot is curled up....any ideas on what I can do for her. The second one the scales on her legs appear rough and she had some blisters...again she eats well and lays eggs. The frozen foot bird is Snow White...a white leghorn. mary

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

I'd suggest to keep doing what your doing. keep her inside, worst thing you could do is let it refreeze while its still healing. If you haven't done so by now give her some antibiotics and very gently rub some neosporin on the effected area. the fact that she's laying again already and toes haven't turned black is a good sign.

We got a rescue hen a couple of years ago who's feet were so badly frost bitten all but one toe turned black then fell off. she is still with us and doing just fine, except she cant perch on anything round cause she doesn't have any toes to grip with.

 

[perched]

This cold weather is so hard on animals who live outside. I keep seeing cat paw prints by our front door after each snowfall, and I feel so bad thinking about the poor thing in this weather. It was about 2 degrees before I went to bed last night here. I've had a 250 watt heat lamp in our coop to keep it somewhat comfortable in there this winter. It actually keeps it pretty warm. If your hen has access to an area with a heat lamp so she can warm herself up when she needs to, and she's getting great care from you, you're probably doing as much as you can for her, you know? Best wishes for her recovery.....have a happy new year!

 

[needmorechickens!]

I feel sorry for them too. I thought I was doing a good job of keeping them warm, but my rooster has a little frostbite on his comb. The coldest it has gotten here is 11 deg but I think i had way too much ventilation in the coop. I reduced it a little on the side where he roosts to prevent a draft on him. Maybe he'll do better now.
So sorry to hear about yours with the frozen foot, but it sounds like you're doing a great job of taking care of her.
~Rebecca