/ Register

  1. If this is your first time on BYC, we suggest you start with one of these three options:
    Raising Chickens Chicken Coops Join BYC
    If you're already a member of our community, click here to login & click here to learn what's new!

Frostbite, soft shell, stopped laying

Discussion in 'Emergencies / Diseases / Injuries and Cures' started by UrbanHenBilly, Mar 12, 2016.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Mar 12, 2016 #1
    UrbanHenBilly

    UrbanHenBilly Out Of The Brooder

    28
    0
    22
    Jun 5, 2010
    Hi gang, I could use your help and wisdom:
    My 9 month old hen got a bit of frostbite on her comb. We had a strong cold snap and I couldn't get to her in time. When I got out the Bag Balm, she had already had white spots on her comb, and now they've blackened.

    She was fine for a few days, then started laying a couple of membrane-only eggs (no shell) at night from her perch. Then, it just tapered off to nothing.

    She sits in the nest daily waiting for an egg to come out. She appears healthy; regular poop, clear eyed and alert, tail high. I did notice that the remaining hen actively pecks her and keeps her from choice treats, so I'm starting to isolate the two and feed the frostbitten hen tuna and electrolytes.

    My mother-in-law said once a hen gets frostbite on the comb they never lay again. Is this true?
    Thanks for your help!
     
  3. Mar 13, 2016 #2
    GodofPecking

    GodofPecking Chillin' With My Peeps

    444
    36
    86
    Dec 16, 2015
    I don't know the cure, but I do know prevention is easy. My chooks seem very very happy in any weather outdoors with an old fridge as a home, I raise chicks this way. It reflects and contains their own bodyheat and protects them from exposure. It also costs nothing.

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  5. Mar 13, 2016 #3
    Wyorp Rock

    Wyorp Rock Overrun With Chickens Premium Member

    8,776
    2,034
    356
    Sep 20, 2015
    Southern N.C. Mountains
    Do you have photos?
    You can gently apply some Vetericyn wound spray, plain Neosporin, or iodine to the comb to help prevent infection if it's really bad. Sometimes a qtips helps with application. As far as the egg laying I have provided a link for that as well. Stress, nutritional/vitamin deficiencies and sometimes an illness can cause egg problems. You could add some vitamins to her water and make sure she has oyster shells available free choice.

    http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/12/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes.html
    http://www.tillysnest.com/2013/01/frostbite-and-backyard-chickens.html
    https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/common-egg-quality-problems
    https://poultrykeeper.com/egg-problems/soft-thin-or-missing-egg-shells/
     
  7. Mar 13, 2016 #4
    UrbanHenBilly

    UrbanHenBilly Out Of The Brooder

    28
    0
    22
    Jun 5, 2010
    Thanks so much for your help!
     

BackYard Chickens is proudly sponsored by