frostbite on combs and fertility

[me and my marans]

if a rooster has bad frostbite on his comb will he lose his fertility??
I have been told that its true, I just laughed!!

I have been thinking about this and think not, but is there any truth in this??

 

[hinkjc]

I have heard this as well. I don't know if it's true or not. If it is true, it may only be during the time the frost bite first hits and prior to healing. I've had roos with frostbite. After the combs heal (black tips fall off), they were just as fertile as before.

 

[chicknmania]

That's been my experience, too. Apparently, it is true but they are just infertile while they are afflicted. I laughed at first too when I read that last year, but then I did some research. And we have had a couple of roos with bad frostbite; almost impossible to avoid sometimes here; and they are still dads. I am guessing maybe the infertility may have something to do with the pain involved in frostbite? I imagine it is very painful. If you can catch your roos, though, you can use vaeeline or petroleum jelly both as a preventative and to help soothe and protect the frostbitten part. Just be very gentle.

 

[aveca]

I was wondering this as well. Its bad out there. I took every measure but the rooster still got frost bite. Robin (the vet) Is going to lets say= re-shape the wattles and comb. Poor rooster, she will do this next week when she comes out for horse tooth float and early spring shots. She said its everywhere and not just chickens. I had 2 tons of vaseline on him and he looked like a freak with all that goop on him. Robin said, Lynne, smear some vaseline on your fingers and go outside and tell me how it works. Maybe its just me but it felt colder, Like my hands were just wet or something. Its just that bad I guess.

Guess this rooster will sit out the showing and make eggies fertile and thats about it. Hens are all fine.

Roosters locked in with 2 hens let them out for a bit to clean thier pen then right back in, hens run in, rooster rather stay outside, have to herd him in.

 

[chicknmania]

Thanks for sharing that. I have never tried the vaseline. Probably won't, now. Wish there was some way we could tell them to stick their heads under their wings....all the way...when it gets so cold!