Frostbite, soft shell, stopped laying

[UrbanHenBilly]

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!

 

[GodofPecking]

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.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

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/

 

[UrbanHenBilly]

Thanks so much for your help!