Frostbite

[chickiebaby]

We've never really had frostbite probs before. I thought for sure the Blue Andalusians woud be the breed to worry about with their insane floppy combs - but no, its Mortimer, my daughter's most beloved, who is a steady solid BA who is calm and friendly and lays like a champ. .

She has a frostbitten comb and frostbite around the eyes! It's so sad to see. And if there's any blood, everybody gets interested and then as you know all hell can break loose. There are 21 other girls in her dorm.

Twice we've had to bring her in for the night to heal her up with a bit of blu-kote, then we send her back out all greased up.

We've greased her exposed flesh with A & D - that's diaper ointment which we use aroudn here for all kinds of things, and esp for chickens. It is about 80% petroleum jelly, 18% I think lanolin which is great, and the rest I guess is fillers - oh, and vitamins A & D.

I think she must be getting her face wet when she drinks - she's a pretty lively girl. Anyway, today's the third time, ad it's going down to -10F this week. I plan to get some hay bales today and we have pretty deep litter at the moment.

Looking for more suggestions/ideas/improvements/remedies?

 

[jab91864]

I've always used bag balm if I get a case of frost bite. It's great stuff and I wouldn't be without it.

Best of luck.

Julie

 

[chickiebaby]

Hmnn, any more advice before I throw her back outside for the evening? It's getting pretty cold tonight!

 

[Kathy1]

Hi I am having the same trouble here but not from the water, it is just nuts , It has been colder here this winter than it is now and we have had no issuse prior go figure. I have been using vasoline, and brought them in, (I have only 2 ) I dont have any advice to give, but sympathize with you. Wish I had an answer for us.

 

[AK-Bird-brain]

I wouldn't throw her back out just yet. The worst thing you can do for frost bite is allow the effected area to refreeze. When frostbit occurs damage is done at the cellular level in the skin. you cannot repair this damage but you can make it worse by allowing it to refreeze.

Keep her indoors for a few days if you can if not add some heat lamps to the coop or close it up completely. Give her some antibiotics/vitamins and allow her to rest up.

The frostbitten comb isn't a big concern it happens all the time, but pay attention to how the area around her eyes heals up.

Were rooting for her

 

[chickiebaby]

AK, I didn't see your answer in time, but we did end up keeping her in. I think you're exactly right, but I think that about you and your most of the time anyway.

I don't do antibiotics except when its forced on me, so I'm doing ACV and I gave her yogurt a couple times while she was inside. Cold briefly moderated a bit, too, so she's going back out now while she can.

Give our love to Mrs. AK as well, and stay warm.

 

[henlady]

I hope your flock does okay in the next few nights Chickiebaby. I'm in southern NH not far from the Mass border and I hear we're in for temps well below zero tonight through Sat. My coop heater only raises temps about 20 degrees....may have to host a slumber party in the cellar!

That's what we had to do a few nights during that awful ice storm power outage.
Hang in there! Another month and a half and we should be safe!