FROSTBITTEN HEN... HELP!!!!!

[chknnugget]

Greetings friends...I live I NW WA and we had below zero weather last night. When I went out this morning to tend the ladies I noticed one of my hens missing... upon looking she was found quite a ways away from her flock mates. I immediately noticed she was molting and almost bald, when I picked her up her feet were frozen stiff and unable to move the fingers. She has a frosty bitten comb I'm afraid and it's steering to blister... I've brought her in the house to warm in front of the heater. She has eaten a bit and drank water. She has asked a bit but not much what should i do for her comb??? I putt Vaseline on her comb and wattles PLEASE HELP WITH ANY INFO.I have other chickens I'm afraid might be affected by this weather..... desperate in Washington. Pics enclosed

I also noticed a few darkened spots on her legs as well...

 

[ilovgemi]

I do not have any personal experiences with a frost bitten chicken but this article may be helpful!
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/12/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes.html

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Greetings friends...I live I NW WA and we had below zero weather last night. When I went out this morning to tend the ladies I noticed one of my hens missing... upon looking she was found quite a ways away from her flock mates. I immediately noticed she was molting and almost bald, when I picked her up her feet were frozen stiff and unable to move the fingers. She has a frosty bitten comb I'm afraid and it's steering to blister... I've brought her in the house to warm in front of the heater. She has eaten a bit and drank water. She has asked a bit but not much what should i do for her comb??? I putt Vaseline on her comb and wattles PLEASE HELP WITH ANY INFO.

I have other chickens I'm afraid might be affected by this weather..... desperate in Washington. Pics enclosed

I also noticed a few darkened spots on her legs as well...
Welcome to BYC!

@ilovgemi has given you a very helpful link. This article is packed with information on treating frostbite and helpful tips on prevention.

Bringing her to a warmer area is a good idea, make sure she is warmed up very slowly and that she doesn't get too warm. Frostbite can blister, so the less you handle the blisters the better. You don't want to pop those too quickly, the fluid in them is naturally protecting the skin underneath.

If the blisters pop, then I would recommend spraying the comb with something like Vetericyn spray. A spray is easier to apply in this situation and rubbing on a cream or ointment would be painful.

Applying some cream or vaseline to the combs of the chickens that are outdoors may be beneficial and could possibly protect them from getting frostbite.

Ventilation is usually key in winter time. I know it doesn't make sense to have open areas during the middle of winter. Our inclination is to close everything up. Moisture and cold temps create frostbite, chickens breath out moisture and their poop is full of moisture as well. Ventilation helps to move the moisture up and out of the coop.

Here's a good article on ventilation:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/a/...-go-out-there-and-cut-more-holes-in-your-coop

 

[chknnugget]

Thanks so much for the info....