Frostbite... in UK spring?!

[HollyWoozle]

The tips of our rooster’s comb have gone black since yesterday. Yesterday morning the chickens were allowed outside for the first time since mid-December (they were shut in due to avian flu risk), so I can only assume it’s something to do with that.

We are in the south-east of England. Earlier in the week is was very warm (up to 21C or so) but yesterday was around 8 or 9C, cold and windy. I think it dropped to around 4C overnight. They have a roomy, well-ventilated shed with no draughts. They have not been cleaned out for 10 days or so, I am here to do it today (they live at my parents place), but the shed really is very spacious and I just can’t see that the atmosphere is that damp.

During the lockdown period they have had a polytunnel to give them more ‘indoor’ space... I am wondering if that maybe got very humid earlier in the week? They only went in there in the daytime. There is slight discolouration to his comb yesterday when I look at a pic.

Pics attached from today and yesterday. Can it be anything but frostbite?

 

[LaFleche]

Looks like frostbite to me.

But to be on the safe side, you might want to inspect his toes carefully for any signs of necrosis that might be caused by ergot or similar.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you. I can’t figure out why it has happened really, assume the tips will likely drop off. Toes look normal thankfully.

 

[LaFleche]

Thank you. I can’t figure out why it has happened really, assume the tips will likely drop off. Toes look normal thankfully.

Yes, they will just be a little shorter, nothing to worry about.

I think that maybe with the two days of warmer weather and the rise in humidity, his circulation might not have adapted quick enough to another bout of freezing temperatures.
This often happens at the end of very cold winters.

 

[HollyWoozle]

Thank you, that is really helpful.

 

[HollyWoozle]

I’ve now heard of two other boys here in the UK with the same problem today. It must be due to the extreme change in weather as you suggest @LaFleche. The wind did feel bitterly cold the last day or two and they’ve been inside for so long.

It makes me feel better somehow that it’s not just Pingu with the problem, although I’m sorry to hear that it has affected others of course.