Hen has swollen purple wattles

[MelissaTXRn]

Oh good! I think I speak for all of us when saying we are concerned and puzzled.

 

[casportpony]

Good luck at the vet! It's nice that you're able to do that for her!

-Kathy

 

[achickymama]

Sooo, turns out it was frostbite! It hasn't been getting much below 50 here but their coop was a bit on the dirty side because we had been out of town. I guess there was just too much moisture between that, the rain and the dropping temperatures. The vet gave me silver sulfadiazine to apply twice a day.

 

[achickymama]

Well Kathy , these girls a like our babies

. I'm glad it wasn't something more serious. My poor kiddos would have been devastated if we lost her.

 

[MelissaTXRn]

I am so glad that you found out what it is and that you can treat it. Yay!!!!!!!!!

 

[Eggcessive]

Frostbite was what kept coming up in my mind and all the searching, but I wouldn't have thought it possible with those temps. I'm glad you went to the vet.

 

[achickymama]

Frostbite was what kept coming up in my mind and all the searching, but I wouldn't have thought it possible with those temps. I'm glad you went to the vet.

Crazy, right!? We're in Alaska so if they're already experiencing that, its gonna be a long winter!

 

[Eggcessive]

You may need to read up on ventilation in your coop. There are a ton of threads here--make sure you read Pat and chickens big ole ventilation page thread--she lives in Canada and has many tips. The worst thing about winter is the moisture in the coop, not so much the temp. Moisture and open pan water bowls can cause frostbite. Feet can be frozen quickly if they step into water bowls in the cold temps you all get.

 

[achickymama]

24 hours later! She's looking red and heathy again!

Anyone know how long it typically takes for frostbit pieces to fall off?

 

[achickymama]

You may need to read up on ventilation in your coop. There are a ton of threads here--make sure you read Pat and chickens big ole ventilation page thread--she lives in Canada and has many tips. The worst thing about winter is the moisture in the coop, not so much the temp. Moisture and open pan water bowls can cause frostbite. Feet can be frozen quickly if they step into water bowls in the cold temps you all get.

I'm on it! Thanks!!!