Frostbite vent

[Disheygirl]

It’s that time of year…

Our temps got into -2 and my roo’s comb tips are turning black. I don’t use Vaseline, their coop is draft free and has a ventilation fan and their run is wrapped + covered. No water in the coop either. My flock is a big group of three and four year olds and five under a year (of which the roo is one).

The older girls are smart and stay in the coop except to eat or drink. The younger girls who are EEs with pea combs like to hang out in the run which means their BF also has to go. Problem is, his comb is huge and now has black tips.

I ended up locking them all in the coop a little while ago but ugh. I took my gloves off for a minute and my fingers were stinging; not sure how he can’t feel his comb practically burning off but here we are.

 

[FarmerGirl101]

Could the ventilation fan be introducing a draft accidentally? Also make sure there isn't any humidity as that can also increase the risk for frostbite.

 

[Eggcessive]

I would turn off the fan. They just need overhead ventilation for removing humid breath. It is hard to prevent frostbite on large combs when temps are near or below zero. Don’t massage the comb. Post pictures when you can. Tips may become rounded off eventually.

 

[Disheygirl]

I would turn off the fan. They just need overhead ventilation for removing humid breath. It is hard to prevent frostbite on large combs when temps are near or below zero. Don’t massage the comb. Post pictures when you can. Tips may become rounded off eventually.

I put he and two others in the garage tonight - it’s 30 degrees so more manageable than -3. This is from earlier this evening and when I took them in the garage, his wattles seemed to have some too.

I have Meloxicam if it seems to bother him - I’m sure it doesn’t feel great.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is good that he is in a warmer area. Most tolerate mild frostbite. Is he eating and drinking okay?

 

[Bsmac]

Hello! Sorry about your rooster. I think it would be beneficial to put a humidity sensor inside your coop. I use a digital thermometer with humidity. If the humidity is high Maybe more ventilation is needed. Best of luck!

 

[Disheygirl]

He’s currently in the garage at 38 degrees with two girls and crowing nonstop. It’s five degrees out. I need to move out of the Midwest - it’s like the arctic this year.

 

[RoseHawke]

Also, unless you've got them in a sealed space with a de-humidifer, it's impossible to remove all the humidity. For instance, at the moment according to Wunderground, Indianapolis, IN is hovering around 66% humidity. All you can do is mitigate it.