Frostbite

[Kaylalane11122]

it has been very cold here in SW Michigan and unfortunately or Roo got frostbite on his comb and wattles. It’s supposed to be in the double digits the rest of the week, so should I just leave him in the coop with his ladies? Or bring him in the garage which is also still cold?

 

[Eggcessive]

He would feel more comfortable with his hens, but if I moved him someplace warmer, I would take him back out in the morning to be with the others. Watch to see they don’t peck at the frostbitten comb. It doesn’t look terribly bad now, though there is some whitish and discolored tips, but much of it should heal. I don’t put anything on frostbite, since it can also freeze, and make it worse. Also do not massage or handle the painful comb.

 

[Kaylalane11122]

He would feel more comfortable with his hens, but if I moved him someplace warmer, I would take him back out in the morning to be with the others. Watch to see they don’t peck at the frostbitten comb. It doesn’t look terribly bad now, though there is some whitish and discolored tips, but much of it should heal. I don’t put anything on frostbite, since it can also freeze, and make it worse. Also do not massage or handle the painful comb.

Thank you so much! That’s what I was thinking..bringing him in tonight with one of his ladies and putting them back out in the morning. The garage isn’t warm it’s about 34 degrees but it’s 21 but feels like 9 out now so it’s better than being in the coop I guess.

 

[Sally PB]

In case you've never dealt with frostbite before...

The affected area will turn black, shrivel, and dry up, like a scab. Eventually, it will fall off. That may take several weeks. It looks like your boy will lose some points on his comb, and the bottom edge of his wattles.

Also, There are several Michigan people here on BYC. Hello from Belding.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

We've been in single digits all week in the mornings and double digits nowhere close to freezing for highs until today, for the first time in over a week. I haven't done anything special for my chickens in this cold and they're fine. I did increase the ventilation during the summer, that's probably the best thing I could have done for them. Ventilation is very important in cold weather.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I Dub Roosters/Cockerels with excessively large comb, & Wattles to prevent frostbite.

But unfortunately my Big Malay Rooster Goliath got frostbite on a couple toes this year due to how wickedly cold it's been.

 

[Kaylalane11122]

In case you've never dealt with frostbite before...

The affected area will turn black, shrivel, and dry up, like a scab. Eventually, it will fall off. That may take several weeks. It looks like your boy will lose some points on his comb, and the bottom edge of his wattles.

Also, There are several Michigan people here on BYC. Hello from Belding.

Hello from Niles

 

[MysteryChicken]

Hello from Niles

Hello from Tawas.