Frostbite Comb-Show Bird

[Nupine]

Hello! I haven't been on much lately, been super busy. But I thought I would come on to ask this question. I have a nice standard black cochin roo I picked up at the Ohio National, and he has been great but he has really bad frostbitten comb and wattles. It is bad. We live in Southern Ohio and it has been really cold lately, like -15 a week ago. He is in a nice warm wooden FULLY enclosed wood coop. He is eating and such, but prefers to stay on his roost and stay warm most of the day. It is really bad and I plan on showing him in 2009 and I want him to be happy and healthy. What I am wondering is why is this nice expensive bird in a nice warm coop the one with the frostbite, but my evil free ranging turken Elvis Jr. is perfectly fine? Hmmmm. Is there anything I can do [NOT DUBBING] to help him and how will he look if I show him, will he have no comb or waddles? Why is it that all the cochin roos at the shows look fine? Am I doing something wrong, will it grow back?
Ashlyn

 

[Matt A NC]

You could show him, but in some shows he will simply be disqualified.

The parts of the comb that are frost bitten will blacken, dry-up, and eventually fall off. Does not grow back.

In harsh weather, show birds need more protection to keep those combs from getting bit. Some use heat lamps. Also helps if there is more then just a couple birds that sleep together. They keep each other warm and help keep the inside temps of the coup from getting below freezing.

If the coup is too humid that can also be a problem. The build up of humidity can cause a comb to get frost bit easier.

Matt

 

[a2ms4chickens]

You may want to put some bag balm on his comb and wattles.

It sounds like you have him protected from the elements, but when it is moist and cold outside, it is very easy for them to get frostbite. Just make sure he doesn't get any drafts. Also, you might try using a heat lamp.

If it is a mild case, the black will clear up and he should be good to go.

Good luck!

 

[spook]

matt, that is interesting, I have a coop with a heated water dish and it makes frost on the inside of their hutch. My cochin roo has not had any problems YET.
As for the cochin that does have a problem, he would not be "show quality" with imperfections. Shows are to show perfection of a breed, to better the breed in breeding. Now, use him as a breeder, look at him and the hen you want young out of, and begin your own line of perfection. Of course, Frost bite is where the blood stopped, freezing like in the freezer, then they dry up and like matt said, they will dry up- its dead tissue. Frost bite is not a good feeling. If you can take a drop light and put a 25 watt bulb in it, it may keep that coop from dropping down a few degrees.
Good luck and guess I'll be more cautious over my own hutch.

 

[Nupine]

Thanks you guys. He has two hens in with each other. The coop is very warm, it is an Amish made wood building with the little board that cover the cracks so their are no drafts. This just makes me so mad. I paid $100 for the trio which is a lot for my cheap butt. I am just glad he alive. I have one question. In the future could I make some sort of ''scarf'' to help prevent this?
Ashlyn

 

[chickenlady]

Sorry to hear about your roo. As the others have stated, he will not be able to be shown now. Maybe you will have some offspring that you can show. In the meantime, I would put vaseline on his comb and wattles when it gets real cold out. My limit is about 25 degrees. I also have large black cochins and two of my roos have large wattles that they stick in that water all day long. I use vaseline and, knock on wood, have not had a problem yet. I have my fingers crossed.

 

[walkswithdog]

You can have a vet document the comb damage, I don't know the cochin rules but some allow a vet's documentation of damage and don't rate it like a genetically poor comb.