Frostbitten

[StarLover21]

What does frostbite look like? I think my 24 week old got some on her comb...its blackish on the tips and today it snowed first time ever. Is this frostbite and what should I do?

 

[Katydid2011]

What have your low temperatures been? Depending on a number of factors, it could be frostbite or it could be bruising from being pecked at a bit. Are you able to post a pic?

 

[TwoCrows]

It could be frostbite. Post some pics so we can have a look. Frostbite is most likely to occur when cold air and warm moist air combine. In others words, if you have heat in your coop, warm air meets cold air and condensation forms. The combs get wet, then cold and freezes.

If you do not have adequate ventilation in your coop, the same thing will happen, even without heat. Lots of chickens are breathing, pooping, making heat and condensation forms on the combs and such and wham...you have frost bitten combs.

So keep windows open a crack, vents open all the way. Not so much that air is blowing on your chickens, but keep air moving thru the coop so the moist air can get away from the chickens. They can tolerate very cold temps as long as they can get out of wind and there is no moisture build up in the coops.

edit to add: You can put some neosporin on the injured combs and if frost bite continues to occur, you can put vaseline on the combs and wattles to help prevent frost bite.

 

[clairabean]

Either way, you can slather some polysporin on it.

My big BO roo gets a coating of vaseline on his gorgeous comb regularly in winter.

 

[psimons2004]

I have read about 100 things today on NOT using the pain type of neosporin. The regular kind is okay, and even better - bag balm, because it works like vaseline to prevent the frostbite, but also has antiseptic properties... My post is the rooster with frostbite one, I have several pictures and it is turning black but everyone is saying that it is NOT frostbite, just a fight.... Does it look familiar?

 

[Imp]

Here is some information on preventing and treating frostbite.

http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/how-to-treat-frostbite-in-chickens.html

http://www.ehow.co.uk/about_6612305_chickens-frostbite.html

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2602413/how_to_treat_chickens_suffering_from.html?cat=53

Do not use ointments that contain "caine" type pain relievers like Lidocaine or Benzocaine. The caine in it can cause a toxic reaction in birds. Read the label, lots of different ones come in various formulas.

Frostbite is caused by cold. The Vaseline on the combs and waddles keep water from collecting them exacerbating the tissue damage.

Pictures would be helpful.

I hope your chickens are OK.

Imp

 

[StarLover21]

Okay guys, thanks. It was raining that night, so it sounds like frostbite. Not to serious thought. I'll try neosporn and vasceline. Thanks!