Frostbite -- how bad is this?

[SnootyHen]

On a scale of "no big deal" to "hurry to the vet" how bad is this frostbite and is there anything I should do for her? Our temps are going to be frigid for another few days before we get back to just regular cold.

 

[ChicNmom]

It's just purple and not fully black so there is some circulation getting in there. Make sure there isn't a moisture build up in the coop. She should be OK. I had a leghorn once that had all her tips frozen. The just dried up and fell off.

I have always put a little vaseline on any combs that started to look freeze dried. I had one hen last week with one blackened point. Her comb had been looking dry. I did the vaseline and it looks better. She may have just gotten it wet somehow since none of the others have an issue.

But I read a post here recently where someone said it doesn't help and can make it worse and haven't had the time to research it.

 

[SnootyHen]

Thanks!! I'm wondering if it got wet when she was trying to eat snow or something. None of the others have any sign but she's got the largest comb by far.

 

[Sally PB]

My understanding is that frostbite on combs and wattles looks bad and feels painful, but isn't very serious. Depending on how serious the "bite" is, the tissue will slowly blacken and die and fall off, leaving a rounded comb. Don't put anything on it, just leave it alone unless some other problems develop, like an infection. Hers doesn't look too bad, but it could be painful, poor girl.

 

[SnootyHen]

My understanding is that frostbite on combs and wattles looks bad and feels painful, but isn't very serious. Depending on how serious the "bite" is, the tissue will slowly blacken and die and fall off, leaving a rounded comb. Don't put anything on it, just leave it alone unless some other problems develop, like an infection. Hers doesn't look too bad, but it could be painful, poor girl.

Thank you!! She wasn't a fan of me looking at it but she's eating and drinking and playing like normal and was more than happy to take a few mealworms for her efforts of having to come in the house.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hmm. If it were my bird I'd watch it more since it's a hen and usually mine don't ever get it, but comparing it to my males, she actually is likely to not have a hard time if it even ends up affecting her. It might just return to normal in a day or too