Frostbite, maybe?!

[nowlifehappens]

I'm new to raising chickens. Picked up 3 Barred Rock Hens, 1 BR Roo, and 4 sex links. My Roo (Rudy), seems to have these dark parts on the tips of his comb. A little paranoid that the recent drop in temps at night may be causing frostbite. I'm in VA and their coop has windows on the left side with screens and a large rectangular vent opening on the right side. I leave both sides open. Should I close the larger window? I've included pics of Rudy (the best I could get). They were pullets when I got them, so they only let me get so close. Thanks in advance for any advice!




Worried momma

 

[ChickenCanoe]

It could be mild frostbite but doesn't look serious. Don't close up the coop. That causes a humidity buildup which contributes to frostbite. I'm sure it gets colder here than there, my coops are wide open and my roosters have much bigger combs and wattles than rocks.

 

[nowlifehappens]

I leave a hanging water dispenser in the coop. Should I take that out? It must have been really cold last night, because the water outside the coop had frozen on top. Pretty thick. I'm doing deep litter method, so maybe I can add some more pine shavings. Thank you for letting me know about the humidity. I wasn't sure if maybe it was too much ventilation!

 

[ChickenCanoe]

More likely too little ventilation.
Does the water add humidity or make the bedding wet?
I have a remote hygrometer that I move from coop to coop. If it is more than 10% higher humidity in the coop than ambient, I know I have a problem.
All my new coops have huge hardware cloth covered windows on both the east and west walls (between 1/4 and 1/3 of the wall space)
I'm researching some powered ventilation options for the older buildings.

 

[nowlifehappens]

I took pics of my coop. I have hardware wire on all windows but it's smaller opening to try to keep snakes out. I don't have anything to measure humidity, so I need to get one to keep in the coop. Thank you for that advice. I would not have thought about that.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Most stores carry the Accurite with a remote and base units. They're not expensive and accurate enough.

 

[nowlifehappens]

Most stores carry the Accurite with a remote and base units. They're not expensive and accurate enough.

Funny, I just put that in my cart to order from Amazon.

Thank you again for advice!

 

[Weehopper]

Beautiful coop

 

[nowlifehappens]

Beautiful coop

Thank you!

 

[nowlifehappens]

So... I received my acurite today and it looks like the numbers are reading (right now) 32 degrees F inside the coop with 35% humidity. Outside, the temperature is reading 29 degrees with 47% humidity. I'm assuming that is a good thing right? Since the humidity inside the coop is lower and temp is slightly warmer?