Frostbie What do I do?

[mimipeaches]

When I went out to check on my chickens today I found that all 4 of my roosters have frostbite on their combs and it is only supposed to get colder this week! We put a tarp over their coop in hopes of making it hotter inside. But is there anything else we can do? I don't want their combs to fall off some of them have black on the frostbite does that mean it's getting worse?

 

[mimipeaches]

The tarp is not letting in enough ventilation the moisture cannot dissipate and that is what is causing the frostbite. Remove the tarp asap.
For the frostbite do not treat it. The tissue is already dead.
In spring the black tissue will just fall off. To disturb the tissue would open it up for infection and cause a host of problems. Leave it be. Best wishes

We made sure that there was still plenty of ventilation! So that isn't a worry! But thank you!! I will let it be!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

When I went out to check on my chickens today I found that all 4 of my roosters have frostbite on their combs and it is only supposed to get colder this week! We put a tarp over their coop in hopes of making it hotter inside. But is there anything else we can do? I don't want their combs to fall off some of them have black on the frostbite does that mean it's getting worse?

Can you post some photos of the combs and your housing?

 

[mimipeaches]

If this 1st pic it looks like the wood is bowed but rest assure it isn’t

Can you post some photos of the combs and your housing?

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

The combs don't look bad at all. Nothing falling off there. I have a heat lamp in my coop that a turn on if it gets below 20 just for comfort.

 

[Crazy for Chickens!]

I believe it helps with frostbite too. Most likely a tarp won't do anything for insulation. It may keep the wind out though.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you for the photos.
I do some a little frostbite. It's hard to know if it will get worse or not.
Frostbite is not only from cold, but moisture. I understand why you have the tarps to block wind, but you still need to leave part of it open in order for fresh air to move through and pull moisture up and out.
I would still block the wind, but leave the upper portion more open - hard for me to explain like leave 1 foot at the top on the sheltered sides for ventilation, don't cover the whole thing up with tarps.
I use tarp(s) to block wind in my runs. I've found zipties work really well to hold the tarps in place, you can try that. I've also used wire if I think I may be needing to move/readjust the tarps frequently, this way I can undo it without having to bring cutters for the zipties.

 

[mimipeaches]

We left that whole panel open. Is that good enough?

 

[Wyorp Rock]

We left that whole panel open. Is that good enough?

Oh! Yes, I would think so!

For me I would still block the wind, so there isn't a draft hitting them and leave it open along the top of the "walls" - but the way you are setup, that backside is probably protected right? That front and side that is facing the barn opening, I would definitely leave winds blocks up on that.

 

[mimipeaches]

Yes you are correct no wind comes in from that side. They don't have much light but they still seem to get around fine. We made sure that the other side is blocked up nice and tight. We put a bag of shaving up against that wall just in case anything comes in. And to keep them even warmer we put 5 bags of pine shavings down so it's super warm!