Frostbitten Birds

[XxAngiexX]

So when I was feeding the flock this morning I noticed two of my roosters were acting strange. One of them was moving slowly and his comb was gray and dry-looking. The other was also walking very slowly and looked like he was going to fall asleep where he stood. His comb had some black tips, and he wasn’t very interested in eating. I did some research and it sounds like frostbite. I’d never considered that they could get frostbite, and it’s been cold recently in the North Arkansas area (twenties and thirties). I brought a warm, damp towel to the yard and tried to warm their combs. One of them (who’s comb wasn’t that bad) seemed to be okay, and he started acting a little more normal. However, the other didn’t seem to have improved much. I closed him in his coop and let a heater run for a few minutes. Is there anything I can do to help them? And what can I do to prevent the others from getting frostbitten? The other roosters with the same sized comb seem fine. I really don’t want to loose any birds, and I want to prevent disfigurement if at all possible. I could really use some advice! (I can also include pictures if needed).Thanks!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So when I was feeding the flock this morning I noticed two of my roosters were acting strange. One of them was moving slowly and his comb was gray and dry-looking. The other was also walking very slowly and looked like he was going to fall asleep where he stood. His comb had some black tips, and he wasn’t very interested in eating. I did some research and it sounds like frostbite. I’d never considered that they could get frostbite, and it’s been cold recently in the North Arkansas area (twenties and thirties). I brought a warm, damp towel to the yard and tried to warm their combs. One of them (who’s comb wasn’t that bad) seemed to be okay, and he started acting a little more normal. However, the other didn’t seem to have improved much. I closed him in his coop and let a heater run for a few minutes. Is there anything I can do to help them? And what can I do to prevent the others from getting frostbitten? The other roosters with the same sized comb seem fine. I really don’t want to loose any birds, and I want to prevent disfigurement if at all possible. I could really use some advice! (I can also include pictures if needed).Thanks!

Can you post some photos of the combs?
I would not handle the combs if they are frostbitten, that could be painful. Generally you don't want to do anything to the comb unless later on the damaged tissue somehow becomes infected.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes/
I would look at there feet as well - you have one that is not acting right - are all the roosters kept in the same pen? Is this one getting to eat - he's not being bullied?

The other roosters may be roosting in a more sheltered area that has good ventilation but not as much of a draft....it's hard to know why these 2 have frostbite while the others don't - if you want to provide photos of housing and where they sleep that might shed some light on the matter.

 

[Chick Chick McGee]

I am not sure on how to help frostbite, luckily I haven’t had to deal with that yet. I am surprised to hear that your chicken would get frostbite in 20 degree weather. Chickens with larger combs are at a much greater threat to frostbite than those with a smaller comb. If the lows keep dipping below the 30s it wouldn’t hurt to leave a light on in the coop, it doesn’t need to be a heat lamp. I leave my chickens in their insulated coop in sub zero weather with a 60 watt light bulb and some extra food and bedding and they do just fine.
Good Luck!

 

[XxAngiexX]

Can you post some photos of the combs?
I would not handle the combs if they are frostbitten, that could be painful. Generally you don't want to do anything to the comb unless later on the damaged tissue somehow becomes infected.
https://the-chicken-chick.com/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes/
I would look at there feet as well - you have one that is not acting right - are all the roosters kept in the same pen? Is this one getting to eat - he's not being bullied?

The other roosters may be roosting in a more sheltered area that has good ventilation but not as much of a draft....it's hard to know why these 2 have frostbite while the others don't - if you want to provide photos of housing and where they sleep that might shed some light on the matter.

Yes, all four are in the same pen because I don’t have anywhere to spread them out. The one who showed no improvement was eating fine before, the only time he’s bullied is when he tries to get a hen (I have a dominant white leghorn). All of them sleep in the same place. I also looked at both’s feet and they didn’t seem to be red. I’ll have to go get some pics real quick!

 

[XxAngiexX]

These are the best I could get I’m afraid

 

[XxAngiexX]

I am not sure on how to help frostbite, luckily I haven’t had to deal with that yet. I am surprised to hear that your chicken would get frostbite in 20 degree weather. Chickens with larger combs are at a much greater threat to frostbite than those with a smaller comb. If the lows keep dipping below the 30s it wouldn’t hurt to leave a light on in the coop, it doesn’t need to be a heat lamp. I leave my chickens in their insulated coop in sub zero weather with a 60 watt light bulb and some extra food and bedding and they do just fine.
Good Luck!

Thank you! I’ve never experienced it myself, if in fact, that’s the problem

 

[Wyorp Rock]

I would leave the combs alone and see what happens. They may lose some tips if they get a bit more frostbite, but it looks very mild at this point.

Frostbite is from exposure and moisture. While cold temps do come into play, it's moisture that burns the tissue. It's explained in the article I linked previously. Frostbite can happen in fairly warm temperatures. Ventilation in housing needs to be very good, but you don't want direct drafts.

 

[XxAngiexX]

I would leave the combs alone and see what happens. They may lose some tips if they get a bit more frostbite, but it looks very mild at this point.

Frostbite is from exposure and moisture. While cold temps do come into play, it's moisture that burns the tissue. It's explained in the article I linked previously. Frostbite can happen in fairly warm temperatures. Ventilation in housing needs to be very good, but you don't want direct drafts.

Thank you so much! I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. You see, my dad keeps bringing home chickens, and expecting me to take care of them. I love my babies to death, but I never know what to do when they get sick or injured. It’s people like you that make the difference!

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Thank you so much! I feel like I don’t know what I’m doing. You see, my dad keeps bringing home chickens, and expecting me to take care of them. I love my babies to death, but I never know what to do when they get sick or injured. It’s people like you that make the difference!

How kind of you.
We are all here to help one another. I would still watch the rooster that is not feeling the best. See if he's eating/drinking well and remaining active. If not, let us know.

 

[XxAngiexX]

How kind of you.
We are all here to help one another. I would still watch the rooster that is not feeling the best. See if he's eating/drinking well and remaining active. If not, let us know.

I got to reading the article, and we had a very frigid, windy day recently. I thought they would go inside if they got too cold, but I suppose I was wrong. I also live on top of a mountain, so there’s high altitude to consider as well. Again, thank you an I’ll keep you posted!