Frostbite or her natural color?

[yickenscarf23]

My chickens semi free range in the backyard and have an enclosed, safe coop out of the wind at night but it's not heated. I noticed these markings on one of my hens today and I'm not sure if it's frostbite or just her coloring. Her legs are dark grey I didn't know if maybe the comb had some of that pigment. She is a little over 3 months. Temps have been below freezing but no snow yet. If this is frostbite, do I need to heat the coop and does she need medical attention?

Thank you!

 

[Shadowfire]

What breed is she? Purebreeds don't have mottled coloration, but it's possible if she has multiple comb genes.

 

[roosterhavoc]

Just the color pigment.

 

[aart]

Is that new?

 

[yickenscarf23]

What breed is she? Purebreeds don't have mottled coloration, but it's possible if she has multiple comb genes.

She's supposed to be a blue wyandotte but is from a feed store.

 

[yickenscarf23]

Is that new?

Yeah but her comb only recently has gotten any color on it at all

 

[aart]

Yeah but her comb only recently has gotten any color on it at all

Could just be a pigment anomaly.
I doubt it's frostbite, even if it is I don't treat FB.
Just keep an eye on it.

 

[yickenscarf23]

Could just be a pigment anomaly.
I doubt it's frostbite, even if it is I don't treat FB.
Just keep an eye on it.

Ok thank you! I havent had them long and I got real nervous that she wasn't okay.

 

[aart]

Ok thank you! I havent had them long and I got real nervous that she wasn't okay.

That's why we're here...to help folks learn all the weird but 'normal' stuff.
Ya just don't know, until ya know...ya know?

 

[WindingRoad]

My chickens semi free range in the backyard and have an enclosed, safe coop out of the wind at night but it's not heated. I noticed these markings on one of my hens today and I'm not sure if it's frostbite or just her coloring. Her legs are dark grey I didn't know if maybe the comb had some of that pigment. She is a little over 3 months. Temps have been below freezing but no snow yet. If this is frostbite, do I need to heat the coop and does she need medical attention?

Thank you!

Do you have good ventilation in your coop? You don't need a heater. It will only cause moisture and that will cause frostbite. Try this little experiment wash one hand but don't dry it. Keep the other hand dry. Now go out in the cold and see how that wet hand feels. That's how chickens get frostbite. You want a DRY coop and dry chickens. I had my birds outside late last month in -9F no frostbite. Usually those small combs of Wanydottes don't have enough flesh to get frostbites. The chickens, not in a dry, coop with big combs like my BO are more prone to frostbite. Remember chickens body temp is around 106degrees F if you have several in the coop they will keep it warm. They roost or nest with their feathers over their feet and some put their head under their wings. They'll be ok. Worry more about predators and secure you coop.