Frozen Rooster - Frostbite, hypothermic?

[Firk07]

I have an 8-10 month old Ancona Rooster. This evening I found him nestled under my nestboxes, burrowed in the bedding. I did my feeding/watering and closed up the coop and went back in the house. After thinking about it for a while, I decided to go back out and check on him. He was extremely lethargic, for a bird that isn't very friendly, he let me touch him. I noticed his comb was turning almost purple, with black tips and his waddles looked swollen and starting to turn black on the edges. My last rooster had touches of frostbite, and I know that's part of the game here in northern Wisconsin, but this is much worse.
Since Monday we have only been above 0* for a few hours a day, and this morning it was -25*. This is my third year with birds, and while they don't enjoy it, I haven't lost one yet. I don't know if its his huge comb and waddles, or he's not a cold hardy breed, but it doesn't look good for him. I brought him into the basement, where its close to 60*. I was able to get him to stand and will see if he's eating or drinking in a little bit. I'm not sure where to go from here... any help is appreciated!!!

 

[Firk07]

Here are some pics.

 

[Chickassan]

Poor guy! Obviously keep him warm, apply some Neosporin to his comb and wattles gently. If he'll eat make him a warm mash or some warm oatmeal. Just do your best to keep him comfy. He really might be fine except he will probably lose a little bit of tissue. Chickens are pretty tough and I've had a roo in similar conditions pull through.

 

[Samannemm]

Sorry you and your roo are going through this I’m in IL where temps are very similar and have a lot of anxiety about my girls in the freezing cold. I’m new to backyard chickens with this being my first winter, but others posted in the IL board about frostbite with pics that you may find useful. Good luck!!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/illinois.37/page-868

 

[AmazingRachel]

I see he has frostbite bad, especially down his wattles (probably from drinking water). I think he needs to recuperate down in your basement until he heals. Even though the breed is hardy, I doubt any breed with a large comb like that is resistant to frostbite in your temps.
In the meantime: https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/how-to-recognize-and-treat-frostbite-in-chickens/

If you have any other roosters with large combs like his, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to their combs and wattles daily to prevent future frostbite.

 

[Chickassan]

Yes,if he were mine I'd keep him inside until he recuperates that's a pretty large area and he'll be pecked if you don't keep him seperate.

 

[Firk07]

I see he has frostbite bad, especially down his wattles (probably from drinking water). I think he needs to recuperate down in your basement until he heals. Even though the breed is hardy, I doubt any breed with a large comb like that is resistant to frostbite in your temps.
In the meantime: https://blog.cacklehatchery.com/how-to-recognize-and-treat-frostbite-in-chickens/

If you have any other roosters with large combs like his, apply a thin coat of petroleum jelly to their combs and wattles daily to prevent future frostbite.

Yes,if he were mine I'd keep him inside until he recuperates that's a pretty large area and he'll be pecked if you don't keep him seperate.

Thanks guys!! I'm really hoping he pulls through! I'm concerned about recouping him. At what point do you think he'd be able to rejoin the girls? I'm concerned about him getting too warm and the process of re-acclimating him to the cold. I see in the forecast that in about 10 days we'll be seeing above freezing temps.

 

[AmazingRachel]

Thanks guys!! I'm really hoping he pulls through! I'm concerned about recouping him. At what point do you think he'd be able to rejoin the girls? I'm concerned about him getting too warm and the process of re-acclimating him to the cold. I see in the forecast that in about 10 days we'll be seeing above freezing temps.

I think he could be ready to rejoin the flock if he is semi-healed and the temps are above freezing. Frostbite seems bad but is relatively minor. The blackened parts will eventually shrivel up and fall off and new tissue will regrow (all though it will not fully regrow the parts lost).

 

[Brahma Chicken5000]

Thanks guys!! I'm really hoping he pulls through! I'm concerned about recouping him. At what point do you think he'd be able to rejoin the girls? I'm concerned about him getting too warm and the process of re-acclimating him to the cold. I see in the forecast that in about 10 days we'll be seeing above freezing temps.

Personally I would keep him inside until he has healed and the temperatures are consistently above freezing. When you are ready to reintroduce him to the flock you will have to keep him in a dog crate for a week or two so that the flock can see him but not touch him. I would keep an eye on him after you acclimate him to the outside temperatures as he may be too used to your indoor temps, if that’s the case you’ll need to wait until the weather outside is close to the temperature in your basement. Good luck with your boy.

 

[Gramma Chick]

I would keep him in as long as he is healing ..
It will look Nasty ...and other chickens may be apt to peek at it .
What is the moister content in your coop ?
Even in this cold weather you need to open it up and let it vent moisture .
That is what causes frostbite..they can handle the cold .
They cant handle the humidity
Instead of Neosporin I would put Raw Egg White on it .
It is really a burn ..and Raw Egg White will Help it heal and a cold egg from the frig helps soothe it . raw egg white contains albumin which helps with burns.
I got a burn from the water in the pressure cooker .
I was Canning and got TOO Impatient and opened it too soon ..The boiling water rushed out...hit my stomach and legs...First thing I did was peel hot clothes off ..it hurt terrible ...I didnt want to got to the hospital because I had No insurance ..A cold Wash cloth only helped for a few seconds . I went on the internet ..Found Raw Egg white to put on a burn ..Took the egg out of the frig ..it stopped the pain instantly . When the pain came back I put on more egg white on... the pain went away for hours . Only a small section peeled ..and almost no scar ...
I know it goes against every thing you have been taught about eggs ..BUT IT WORKS
REMEMBER IT