Help

[Casa Crazy Chicken Lady]

Hi! I’m asking for some help please!!! This is a very long story but I’ll start with a short of it right now. My chickens were struggling with some respiratory issues after a lot of issues as I said long story, but it is recently bitterly cold obviously causing everything to get worse. Even though they were doing better. But I noticed my one rooster Thyme a light Brahma bantam his waddles started turning slightly purple at the end and I know that can be a serious issue! But I have no idea exactly what to do! As I said, it’s been very cold so obviously automatically want to bring him inside…. But I also know a huge temperature change can be very bad for them! The last several weeks. It has been often in the -20s with windchill and is going to get much worse this weekend with possibly -30s with windchill and not very warm at all during the day mostly staying around zero or so sometimes slightly warmer. What can I do to help him please? Someone help me. I am not sure how to help him get any better or help anyone else from getting this bad I have done multiple rounds of taigard and also ordered a doxycycline which I also did multiple rounds of this was all previously but now with the weather being so much worse, no one is feeling very well again and now with his waddle, I’m very scared! They are all my babies and I am not sure how to help! I do not have that that is very local to me. I would have to travel several hours and would be quite out of the price range! Their coops are insulated and do have radiant heaters in them. If that might be something you need to know any questions you would like to know please ask like I said there’s a long story behind all this seems like my birds have been through quite a bit. Most of them will be two or two soon after march. Thank You- but please be kind I’m trying very hard

 

[Debbie292d]

Hi, and welcome to BYC!

You do not need to ask us to be kind, as this isn't FB. We all try to help without judgment here. I can tell you're trying to do the best you can.

My guess is he's got frostbite. We do not recommend putting anything on it nor touching it as it's painful. If you brought him in, that's fine and will prevent further damage. Nature will take it's course with it and those ends will eventually fall off.

For all of them, you might want to give them some Poultry Cell or Nutri-Drench in their water every other day. It sounds like their having a hard time of it. Vitamins might help strengthen them up a bit and help them fight this off.

After you're done with the antibiotics, be sure to follow up with probiotics. They make powders for in their water or crumbles for in their feed.

Your temps aren't much different than mine, and I just brought a hen in tonight who was wheezing. He'd be fine if you don't already have him inside. When you go to bring him back outside, just pick a time when it's the highest temp outside, put him in your coat and take him outside, then open up your coat slowly over a minute's time so he can get used to it.

I hope they all get healthier for you!