Frostbite?! Help!

[Delphene]

So- I have just posted earlier this morning about how to keep our chickens warm in the winter. (No heaters) I did talk a little about our Roo who had white and black on the comb, it wasn't that bad when I posted that but I just went back into the coop to check on then and- He's worse.

He looks like this at the moment, more black maybe a little worse then this. (I wasn't able to get a photo ) Treatments? We put coconut oil on it but I didn't help very much. It was super cold this morning (This winters colder than normal) His comb still has white on it, how do I treat frostbite? FYI: My coop is dry and ventilated, but not too ventilated we covered the perch place so wind doesn't blow on them.

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

So- I have just posted earlier this morning about how to keep our chickens warm in the winter. (No heaters) I did talk a little about our Roo who had white and black on the comb, it wasn't that bad when I posted that but I just went back into the coop to check on then and- He's worse.
View attachment 4023934
He looks like this at the moment, more black maybe a little worse then this. (I wasn't able to get a photo ) Treatments? We put coconut oil on it but I didn't help very much. It was super cold this morning (This winters colder than normal) His comb still has white on it, how do I treat frostbite? FYI: My coop is dry and ventilated, but not too ventilated we covered the perch place so wind doesn't blow on them.

the damaged part of the comb should come off on its own. you might want to watch him for a while afterwards, to be sure his comb heals properly. just monitor for any visible signs of infection. a healthy frostbitten comb will have a scab, and will look pink and well circulated, just like the undamaged area.

 

[talkinboutchickens]

It might come off eventually, or it might heal, it can go either way. You can also try Vaseline instead of coconut oil. Could you attach pics of the ventilation situation in the coop? Also, are you keeping the water in the coop? If so, I would take it out because it produces extra moisture in there and therefore makes it easier for your chickens to get frostbite

 

[SmiYa0126]

Hi! It will fall off on their own. It happened to my rooster last winter, he has more rounded tips now.

 

[Eggcessive]

Please do not use vaseline, coconut oil or other creams or sprays on frostbite, since those can also freeze and make it worse. When frostbite first occurs, it may look whitish, but it will turn brown or black, and it may take a week for the full extent of damage . Combs will eventually heal on their own, but will be painful for awhile. I usually leave it alone and do not handle it or massage, since that can damage it more. Other chickens may peck at it, so watch out for that and separate if needed.

 

[Eggcessive]

Here is some reading about frostbite:
https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-health/frostbite-in-chickens/

 

[Delphene]

Our Rooster has a pretty healthy comb, he lives with just hens so very gets in fights and besides this he's never had a problem with it. Thank you!

 

[Delphene]

Please do not use vaseline, coconut oil or other creams or sprays on frostbite, since those can also freeze and make it worse. When frostbite first occurs, it may look whitish, but it will turn brown or black, and it may take a week for the full extent of damage . Combs will eventually heal on their own, but will be painful for awhile. I usually leave it alone and do not handle it or massage, since that can damage it more. Other chickens may peck at it, so watch out for that and separate if needed.

Okay, thank you. we heard that it was good for it. He's the only Roo and our chickens are pretty short so I don't think we'll have a problem with peaking. (Fingers crossed)

 

[Delphene]

It might come off eventually, or it might heal, it can go either way. You can also try Vaseline instead of coconut oil. Could you attach pics of the ventilation situation in the coop? Also, are you keeping the water in the coop? If so, I would take it out because it produces extra moisture in there and therefore makes it easier for your chickens to get frostbite

The water is in the run, yeah we wanted to do that but coconut oil is all we had. I'll try as soon as possible, we have a snow storm right now. I was worried about ventilation a bit but our coop has A LOT, Too much, we covered the part were they perch, I'll try to find a photo of our coop that we have.

 

[OrahSmiles]

Please do not use vaseline, coconut oil or other creams or sprays on frostbite, since those can also freeze and make it worse. When frostbite first occurs, it may look whitish, but it will turn brown or black, and it may take a week for the full extent of damage . Combs will eventually heal on their own, but will be painful for awhile. I usually leave it alone and do not handle it or massage, since that can damage it more. Other chickens may peck at it, so watch out for that and separate if needed.

Wish I would have referred to this before believing the first thing on the internet and putting Vaseline on my poor hen's comb a couple days ago. Not a good outcome, but she's recovering. Thank you Eggcessive....Good luck Delphene!