Frostbite Emergency

[MathildaThunderthighs]

This is my second winter with chickens and here in Michigan, we have been dealing with some very strange and cold weather; because of this, I have been struggling with frostbite most of this winter. I have been monitoring all of my chickens everyday to make sure everything is looking ok but today when I went out, I found that my 7 month old White Cochin hen, Mallow, seems to have frostbite pretty bad and it has started to bleed. She has had the frostbite for about a week now but it wasn't very bad and hasn't seemed to be bothering her, and it still doesn't seem like it but I can't imagine it doesn't hurt. I am pretty new to chickens and I'm not quite sure what to do, any tips?

 

[Sue Gremlin]

That doesn't look too bad. If the others start picking at it you may have to separate her, but I think it will be fine. I am in MI, too, and several of my chickens were frostbitten and they look a lot worse than that!

 

[A_Fowl_Guy]

It actually probably does not hurt at all. Birds are strange like that since they have few nerve endings in the skin. If it’s bleeding I would separate her until it stops. You can’t do anything for frostbite.

 

[MathildaThunderthighs]

That doesn't look too bad. If the others start picking at it you may have to separate her, but I think it will be fine. I am in MI, too, and several of my chickens were frostbitten and they look a lot worse than that!

Thanks so much for the advice! It doesn't seen like any of them are but it's hard to tell. If I notice anything I'll be sure to step in and separate her. Hope your chickens get better soon! I'm sure that windstorm last night was rough!

 

[MathildaThunderthighs]

It actually probably does not hurt at all. Birds are strange like that since they have few nerve endings in the skin. If it’s bleeding I would separate her until it stops. You can’t do anything for frostbite.

That's such a relief, it looks so painful! I will thanks!

 

[MagpieDucks]

That doesn't look like frostbite to me. It looks like someone has been picking on her.

 

[MathildaThunderthighs]

That doesn't look like frostbite to me. It looks like someone has been picking on her.

Huh, I'll have to keep an eye out for her. I know she has had frostbite for a few days so I assumed that's what it was but I will have to keep checking

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

it looks like a peck wound from another hen

 

[Eggcessive]

She may be getting her damaged comb pecked, but she also may be hurting it on the feeders and waterers. See how close the feeder her comb is in the picture? She should be okay, but I would watch for pecking.

 

[MathildaThunderthighs]

She may be getting her damaged comb pecked, but she also may be hurting it on the feeders and waterers. See how close the feeder her comb is in the picture? She should be okay, but I would watch for pecking.

That's a really good point, I've never thought that it might be her hitting it on something. I will watch her tomorrow more closely and see if I notice anything