Frostbite - what can I do and what to expect?

[torilovessmiles]

I know there are a million questions on here about frostbite, but I'm not completely sure what to do or what will happen. I have a couple of chickens that have gotten frostbite from bitterly cold temperatures for my area, especially this time of winter (-6 last night). My little hen just had a little on the skin, I think she will be fine. My rooster's comb is blackened a little on the very tips, and there are a couple blisters on the edge of his wattles. We put non-pain relieving antibiotic ointment on it, and I covered the rest of his comb and wattles in Vaseline to keep it from getting worse. Can he stay in the coop tonight? I've added tons of extra straw and it is significantly warmer in the coop than it was last night.
Also, will he lose the tips of his comb? Or will they get better if it's just a little black?
Thanks in advance!

 

[btruegs]

Mine got hit pretty hard this year. Rub Vaseline on ALL the birds combs and wattles. If you don't it will get wayy worse. I learned that the hard way. I'm just now getting on of my hen's better

 

[justplainbatty]

I know there are a million questions on here about frostbite, but I'm not completely sure what to do or what will happen. I have a couple of chickens that have gotten frostbite from bitterly cold temperatures for my area, especially this time of winter (-6 last night). My little hen just had a little on the skin, I think she will be fine. My rooster's comb is blackened a little on the very tips, and there are a couple blisters on the edge of his wattles. We put non-pain relieving antibiotic ointment on it, and I covered the rest of his comb and wattles in Vaseline to keep it from getting worse. Can he stay in the coop tonight? I've added tons of extra straw and it is significantly warmer in the coop than it was last night.
Also, will he lose the tips of his comb? Or will they get better if it's just a little black?
Thanks in advance!

Well, you've done about all you can do. Check to make sure coop ventilation is good. If the tips are just slightly black, they could heal. Worst case, the tips fall off. Big combed chickens are taking a beating this year. I ordered NO roosters but got 3 and wouldn't you know,they all have giant combs. they couldn't send me EE roos here where it gets to -20 something often, it had to be 2 RIR's and an Amberlink! I think they're gonna lose a few tips!

Best of luck!

 

[torilovessmiles]

Thanks guys! I noticed a draft coming from the cracks in the door when I went out there, so my mom and I covered the door with plastic after we were done doing things inside the coop. There are several vents in the top of the coop, so that will keep it ventilated without getting too drafty. I did notice another one of my other girls had a pretty nasty spot on her comb, so I put extra Vaseline on her. From now on, I'm getting birds with pea combs!

 

[torilovessmiles]

Here he is this morning. It got a little bit worse but it's looking better as he warms up. I went ahead and brought him inside for a bit because the girls were pecking at it, and he has perched himself in front of the fireplace. I hope he doesn't lose too much of his comb!

 

[btruegs]

Here he is this morning. It got a little bit worse but it's looking better as he warms up. I went ahead and brought him inside for a bit because the girls were pecking at it, and he has perched himself in front of the fireplace. I hope he doesn't lose too much of his comb!

yeah just keep him in and monitor it

 

[btruegs]

he should be fine