Frostbite?

[chickencheeper]

is this the beginning of frostbite or just pecking order pecking?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Looks like slight frostbite. I don't think it's damaged enough to fall off. It hasn't been very cold yet, so I would assume you may have too much moisture buildup in your coop perhaps.

 

[chickencheeper]

Looks like slight frostbite. I don't think it's damaged enough to fall off. It hasn't been very cold yet, so I would assume you may have too much moisture buildup in your coop perhaps.

How can I help her

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It will heal up. It probably doesn't even bother her. I would make sure your coop has good air exchange. Don't close it up too tightly to avoid further frostbite when temperatures really start to drop.

 

[Latestarter]

When temps are due to approach freezing, coat their combs and wattles with an OIL based lotion like Vaseline or Bagbalm. Do not use water based products for this for obvious reasons. The oil base will help keep moisture from accumulating and freezing causing frost bite or frozen flesh.

If they are already frostbitten, the skin will be very tender and "bubbly" so you have to be very careful or you'll rub the "dead" skin right off. Typically if they are frostbitten/frozen bad, they will swell, get very red, then turn black as the flesh dies. The blackened flesh will eventually fall off and the bird will generally be no worse for wear.

Be aware that this can also happen to toes... So kind of keep an eye on them as well.

 

[chickencheeper]

There’s blood today...

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

It still should be fine. It may have gotten picked at or rubbed on something. Blood means healthy tissue.

 

[Latestarter]

Pretty much confirms that it was frostbitten. The skin dies and any friction or a peck would have opened it up. No biggie. spray a little blukote on it to keep the other hens from pecking at it. The blukote will stop the bleeding and also help it heal. You can still apply Vaseline over top the blukote.