I just noticed that one of my girls seems to have lost the top layer of skin/tissue/beak material that covers her nostrils. (Do chickens have a soft cere like parakeets or other birds?) There is no discharge and she seems completely unbothered by it, but I was wondering if anyone else had ever experienced frostbite or something similar on the nostrils (esp. since their nostrils can get wet during drinking and then they all run outside into the run, where it has been quite cold)?
1) What type of bird , age and weight. Golden comet, 9 months, not sure, prob. 3 lbs max
2) What is the behavior, exactly. No behavior changes
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Just noticed this half an hour ago.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No other signs of trauma or frostbite on combs, wattles, etc., no bleeding or other discharge.
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. As mentioned above, maybe nostrils got wet and then froze?
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Everything in sight, as usual.
7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? None.
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Will treat myself if it needs treating, but at the moment it appears to be a wait and see kind of thing.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. I'll see if I can get a picture.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use Coop with attached outdoor run, pine shavings cleaned and changed regularly.
Thank you!
1) What type of bird , age and weight. Golden comet, 9 months, not sure, prob. 3 lbs max
2) What is the behavior, exactly. No behavior changes
3) How long has the bird been exhibiting symptoms? Just noticed this half an hour ago.
4) Is there any bleeding, injury, broken bones or other sign of trauma. No other signs of trauma or frostbite on combs, wattles, etc., no bleeding or other discharge.
5) What happened, if anything that you know of, that may have caused the situation. As mentioned above, maybe nostrils got wet and then froze?
6) What has the bird been eating and drinking, if at all. Everything in sight, as usual.

7) How does the poop look? Normal? Bloody? Runny? etc. Normal
8) What has been the treatment you have administered so far? None.
9 ) What is your intent as far as treatment? For example, do you want to treat completely yourself, or do you need help in stabilizing the bird til you can get to a vet? Will treat myself if it needs treating, but at the moment it appears to be a wait and see kind of thing.
10) If you have a picture of the wound or condition, please post it. It may help. I'll see if I can get a picture.
11) Describe the housing/bedding in use Coop with attached outdoor run, pine shavings cleaned and changed regularly.
Thank you!