We are suffering what for us is exceptional cold. I thought I would like to remind folk of the frostbite problem during very low temperatures. Here are two pics. of my La Fleche rooster, Young Nick. To be strictly honest, this is probably not truly frostbite. Young Nick, current alpha male, picked a horrible fight with two usually totally placid Brahma boys. He ended up with his face and 'horns' grossly swollen and one of his eyes completely closed.The tips of his comb were dusky blue and very oedematous. Then the cold weather came and his horn tips have become gangrenous. Though he seems fine now, back to his usual obnoxious self, it is a reminder to all who are experiencing severe cold to use the petroleum jelly or proprietary protectors, or keep coops warmed. I'm pretty much 100% sure that this boy's problems are not purely frostbite as none of the others are affected, including the other La Fleche rooster or the guys with ridiculously long wattles and combs. Because of his recent tendencies to pick fights on anything, I think he needs to go.
Good reminder. I have a Black Copper Marans rooster with large comb/wattles. We're supposed to have temps tonight down to 14 tonight, so I had planned to rub some vaseline on him just in case.
Thanks for the reminder. It is genuinely cold here too, about 11 degrees and probably zero at night. That leaves our Seramas at risk for frostbite. The Vaseline trick always seems to work wonders and is what I use for the Seramas.
Damage to comb does appear to be frostbite. Black areas will fall off and infection is likely in progress immediately below it where tissue appears much lighter in coloration. Such is a stressor which can make frostbite of other tissues such as toes more likely.
