Frostbite

[KWVT]

I’m struggling with frostbite. I’ve read a million articles about what to do and I’m not sure what else to do.

I have frostbite showing in at least 4 birds. Mostly little black bits on the comb, but also some white tips on combs. The worst is a Dominique who looks like she got her waddles wet drinking and then they froze. It looks like they are blistered.

I have ventilation up high, no drafts that I feel, at least 6-8” of pine shavings, the run has plastic up for wind block, I have tried using bag balm. I chose cold hardy birds with smaller combs.

The only other thing to do is move the water out of the coop (it’s there because they aren’t really going outside and I need the outlet to plug it in). We can try to figure out how to run an extension cord to put the water outside, but I’m worried they won’t go out to drink it.

Coop is roughly 10x6 with an attached 10x4 storage area that’s open to the coop. I have 12 chickens.

My thermometer might be broken because it is staying pretty constistantly at 14 degrees and 16% humidity. It is warmer inside than outside and the temp seems to stay a pretty consistent temp. Maybe it is possible, but I just have a feeling it isn’t working so I’m going to buy another one.

What do I do? I don’t have anywhere else to put them and I know how strongly people feel about heat lamps and fire risk.

The forecast (not accounting for wind chill).

 

[Welshies]

Is that farehneit or celsius? It is -40° here.
I have slightly large combed birds, and although I have a bit of frostbite (it is inevitable), I keep it down by using vaseline. My coop is also insulated and I ONLY let them out on days of -15°C or more. I keep their food and water inside the coop- more food = more body heat = more cold resilience.

 

[KWVT]

Sorry, it’s F. They have unlimited food all day, warm oatmeal in the morning and cracked corn in the afternoon. At what point do I worry about the amount or severity of frostbite? If not for the frostbite I wouldn’t be worried.

 

[Welshies]

Sorry, it’s F. They have unlimited food all day, warm oatmeal in the morning and cracked corn in the afternoon. At what point do I worry about the amount or severity of frostbite? If not for the frostbite I wouldn’t be worried.

Sounds like they have lots of good food. More spoiled than mine, lol.
If the frostbite is more severe than the tips I'd be worried. If only on the tips the tips will fall off by themselves- I advise against cutting them off like some people say.
If more than the tips, or if your birds become lethargic, I'd be worried. However, frostbite is natural, even in cold-hardy breeds. It rarely negatively affects a bird, except when it sets into the "whole" of the comb or wattle. For example, my rooster has a beautiful comb but each individual tip is a little stunted from frostbite. If it set into the comb and not just the tips, I'd be worried.
Birds bounce back from frostbite well. One winter hatch I experienced a chick frostbiting half of one toe off- it lived, and does awesome. It never got sick but oh, did I feel bad!

 

[KWVT]

The worst is the waddles on the poor girl that looks like she got a face full of water when drinking and then it froze. It’s probably the bottom third of the waddles. Any idea on what to do to prevent that? I have no way that I can think of to use a nipple waterer in this weather.

 

[Welshies]

The worst is the waddles on the poor girl that looks like she got a face full of water when drinking and then it froze. It’s probably the bottom third of the waddles. Any idea on what to do to prevent that? I have no way that I can think of to use a nipple waterer in this weather.

I use a heated dog dish for my water.
Is your girl frostbitten or frozen? If frozen can you bring her inside? Warm her up and then take her outside, keep her under a raised heat lamp for a day to reclimatize her.

 

[KWVT]

I think it is frostbite on her waddles from getting them wet then the water froze. I can put a heat lamp in the coop, but I know everyone says not to do it due to fire risk.

 

[boskelli1571]

As Welshies said, a small amount of frostbite is acceptable in such bitterly cold weather. It sounds like you are doing everything right. Keep a very close eye on toes and legs, sleeping much more (lethargy), off food/water, they are getting hypothermic - they will need to go inside until better.
I currently have a disabled bird here as I type - very lethargic today, not eating/drinking. He has been in about an hour and is already significantly improved, but will stay inside until the weather improves. Good luck,

 

[Welshies]

I think it is frostbite on her waddles from getting them wet then the water froze. I can put a heat lamp in the coop, but I know everyone says not to do it due to fire risk.

Heat lamps are fine if 18" above shaving level.
I have one in my coop as I speak. Just keep them free of dust

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I bought two of these. I may have cringed a bit at the expense but they are working great and at least the chickens aren't making me carry hot water all day, like the rest of the barn.
No regrets. Farm and fleet might have better prices, I've seen them in the mid 30s.