Frostbite or something else

[DKS]

Hi all,
I am so grateful to have this website and the contributions of so many members! So, it has not been bitterly cold here in Connecticut but cold enough at night where we have turned on the heat plates. As a result temps have not gone lower than 30 degrees in the evening. We installed 4 ventilation caps in the upper portion of the coop on opposite walls — out of line of the roost (See pic]. We have also sealed drafty windows with some duct tape. However, I’ve noticed a couple of our BO chicks have black spots on their combs (See pics). Is there anything else I should consider such as removing their water jug in the evening to decrease any humidity in their air? The floor is a few inches thick with sand, coop is dry, and I scoop poop every morning. Finally, besides Vaseline, is there any other things I can put on their combs?

Thank you all so much for your help.

 

[CluckerFamily]

The pictures were kind of hazy that I can't make out the black spots specifically.
From the hazy pictures, it looks like peck wounds.

 

[Luckylarson]

Our chickens have had frostbite (doing all we can to avoid it again) and normally it is on the tips of the comb and it is kinda blueish grayish. That looks like a peck or scratch wound. I wouldn't worry about it unless it gets worse. Vaseline should be fine, but if you are worried about pecking you could get something like peck-no-more from big r.

 

[DKS]

Awesome thank you. I let them free range under supervision each day for an hour or so, but I'm sure there is some cabin fever going on.

 

[DKS]

The pictures were kind of hazy that I can't make out the black spots . Yes. I'm sorry. She was a moving target. I'll go with a peck wound for now and keep an eye out.

 

[CluckerFamily]

Sometimes, chickens just don't cooperate with pictures and other times they just glare at you as if they are saying "how dare you take a picture of me!"

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Hi all,
I am so grateful to have this website and the contributions of so many members! So, it has not been bitterly cold here in Connecticut but cold enough at night where we have turned on the heat plates. As a result temps have not gone lower than 30 degrees in the evening. We installed 4 ventilation caps in the upper portion of the coop on opposite walls — out of line of the roost (See pic]. We have also sealed drafty windows with some duct tape. However, I’ve noticed a couple of our BO chicks have black spots on their combs (See pics). Is there anything else I should consider such as removing their water jug in the evening to decrease any humidity in their air? The floor is a few inches thick with sand, coop is dry, and I scoop poop every morning. Finally, besides Vaseline, is there any other things I can put on their combs?

Thank you all so much for your help.

That's a pecking wound or other minor injury.. but anything to keep humidity down is fine. Heating plates should not be needed. Nor is vaseline going to help.

Those my friend are not chicks at all but decent size birds.

I do not keep water in my coop but plenty of people do in freezing weather without having humidity issues causing frost bite. A main source of the humidity inside a coop will be the exhaled moisture.. keep stock density appropriate for coop size and ventilation.. and let their down jacket work their magic protecting them.

Adding in things like a hanging cabbage or corn on the cob or some other enrichment ideas might help stave off some cabin fever.. but those hormones are increasing and pecking antics may as well. They'll likely work it out.. and with you looking out for them are in for a good life!

 

[DKS]

Thank you for your thoughtful and detailed advice.