Frostbite and shivery flock

[picklestheduck]

Hey y'all, so my rooster has a bit of frostbite on his comb and waddles, and I'm not sure what to do. Should I just leave it? It's not super bad. I'm just afraid of it getting worse since it's going to be around 0 degrees tonight and tomorrow. I know my coop doesn't have the best ventilation, but it does have some on the top, and we are going to be working on it. For now I have an ammonia and moisture deodorizer in there. Called sweet coop. I'm not sure what to do. Some of my ducks have been shivering a bit outside, but they have a nice warm coop to go into if they need to. Also, I could put a heat lamp in there, but my friend had a huge coop fire, and 145 Birds burned alive. I'm just afraid that will happen to us. We could secure it zip tied up, but I'm still nervous. Should I put a heat lamp in there? Or should I just let them do their own thing? I have a very thick layer of shavings in there, and I will be putting more in there tonight. Their run is full of fluffy straw to keep their feet warm. Help! What should I do? I'll try to get a pic soon but its hard since I have tendinitis and my roo is very resistant, I already re-injured my hand from catching him.

Hes prolly at the moderate stage.

 

[aart]

For now I have an ammonia and moisture deodorizer in there. Called sweet coop.

Can you post a link or pics of this product package?

Should I just leave it?

Yes, hands off is best.
It'll heal up in time.

Here are some pictorial timelines:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/

 

[SueT]

Yes, frostbite will heal on its own tho they will probably lose ends of combs and/or wattles. Shaking the head a lot is normal. It’s uncomfortable but nature will take care of it.
My rooster got frostbite on both wattles last year in that polar vortex when it got down to -20º here. You can see the tip of one wattle has already fallen off in this pic. The other did too, and is even shorter. I think his problem may have been while drinking he would them in the water they were so long. No more.

 

[WIchickMama]

I think you stated the main problem, ventilation. That should be your top priority, I think. No heat lamp.

 

[picklestheduck]

Can you post a link or pics of this product package?


Yes, hands off is best.
It'll heal up in time.

Here are some pictorial timelines:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/

 

[aart]

Zeolite is good for absorbing ammonia, it will not really reduce a humidity problem.
(unless you use it on a poop board and get the poops out of the coop daily)
It's also probably much less expensive if you buy Sweet PDZ brand in the 25 pound bags.

 

[SueT]

Yes, you can get your PDZ in the horse aisle instead of the chicken aisle. It’s the same Zeolite, just in different packaging!

 

[Happy hen lover]

No to the heat lamp! No fires!!
Can you keep them locked in coop? Just a thought till you fix ventilation?

 

[picklestheduck]

Yes, you can get your PDZ in the horse aisle instead of the chicken aisle. It’s the same Zeolite, just in different packaging!


View attachment 2967833

Awesome thanks!

 

[picklestheduck]

I've used stall dry before....would that do the same thing? I think I get a 40lb bag for like 12 bucks at my feed store.