Hens are possibly frostbiten?

[Samannemm]

Do you have any photos of your coop (inside/out -especially the ventilation)?
Photos of your girl with missing feathers and the blue skin too

You mention the CQ screaming - what exactly do you mean - is she just chatty/bickering or is it more distress?

Changing out a watering system can be confusing and sometimes stressful for them, hopefully they will figure it out soon. Winter time I have found my girls drink much more water than they do in summer, so getting them hydrated is important. If they don't figure it out, then it's best to provide them with a bowl of water.

How much ventilation do you have in your coop? A few common things that cause frostbite is getting their combs and wattles damp/wet, exposure and too much moisture in the coop (not enough air flow).

Frostbite does happen sometimes even with our best efforts in prevention. If the tips of the comb are turning dark, depending on the damage - they may die and fall off on their own. I would not handle/treat frostbitten parts unless they are bleeding or have pus/water blisters, then it might be prudent to spray a little Vetericyn.

See images I posted (took them last night). There’s only slight frostbite. When I went out this morning my Black Star And red star have slight frostbite. It’s hard to even see but it’s right on the tip of their combs. More so than last night so it must be my coops ventilation. None of the cardboard is on tight. I just prop it up on each side of the coop and then those small pieces towards the top are covering open windows. There is still some ventilation there but nothing directly blowing on the chickens. I’m hesitant to open up the cardboard on top more because it’s right where they roost. It’s not a large coop so I think that makes it even cooler than the larger coops. I’m considering on really cold nights to crate them and put them in my shed. Can I see pics of others’ coops that are comparable to mine (ie small) so that I know what would be a good amount to ventilate or can other give me advice on what I should change? I did just buy a tarp too that I think I’ll put it on top of the run over where the coop is so they have some coverage?

 

[Samannemm]

I’ll try to take more pics today. They’re still not using the new waterer. I’m going to spend time with them today so hopefully they can get it by the end of the day today. Hopefully I can fix the ventilation so that they’re comfortable and safe. Thank you all for your help!

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I'm guessing you don't have enough ventilation. You might have closed off drafts, but ventilation should be above the roost. Is there any flow of air above the roost?
I have a tsc coop. I have a screened window at the back. It is up over the roost, so I leave it open - even with the negative temps. I had a problem with rain and snow getting in so attached a piece of plastic sheeting to the top of the outside of the window to be able to allow air in, but keep out excess moisture. I need to make it more of an awning though, because if the wind is blowing just right the whole thing is open and then rain and snow can get in.
One of my Isa Browns has a large comb and she does have frostbite. Unfortunately, I closed the window one night because I was afraid they would get too cold.
I'm also putting bag balm on her comb now (like Vaseline, but has some other stuff in it to help healing).

 

[Samannemm]

I'm guessing you don't have enough ventilation. You might have closed off drafts, but ventilation should be above the roost. Is there any flow of air above the roost?
I have a tsc coop. I have a screened window at the back. It is up over the roost, so I leave it open - even with the negative temps. I had a problem with rain and snow getting in so attached a piece of plastic sheeting to the top of the outside of the window to be able to allow air in, but keep out excess moisture. I need to make it more of an awning though, because if the wind is blowing just right the whole thing is open and then rain and snow can get in.
One of my Isa Browns has a large comb and she does have frostbite. Unfortunately, I closed the window one night because I was afraid they would get too cold.
I'm also putting bag balm on her comb now (like Vaseline, but has some other stuff in it to help healing).

Sorry to hear about your hen I get nervous too with this brutal cold. I can’t wait until it ends. The only way I could put ventilation above the roost is by taking out the top roost. The bottom roost is barely above the straw on the floor and they prefer the top roost, though I’m pretty sure the closer they are to the straw the warmer they would be. Should I take out the top roost then?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Sorry to hear about your hen I get nervous too with this brutal cold. I can’t wait until it ends. The only way I could put ventilation above the roost is by taking out the top roost. The bottom roost is barely above the straw on the floor and they prefer the top roost, though I’m pretty sure the closer they are to the straw the warmer they would be. Should I take out the top roost then?

You could. The humidity rises with the heat. The other option would be to cut ventilation holes above the top roost so that the humidity can escape over their heads. I didn't have time before winter set in to modify the vents.
My roost is just barely over the bottom of the coop - just barely over the nest boxes. I close off two nest boxes at night. My Ee sleeps in the open one, the IBs sleep on the roost or in the pine shavings. I also clean out poops every day that I can so that there is less moisture in the coop. Its easier these days as the poop are poopsicles.

 

[DwayneNLiz]

i would poke some holes in the card board at the top
like a nickel sized every 6" and maybe a poke a pencil through a little loer in between those

i would also get a wider perch, so that their toes cant curl over and their feathers will cover them

i dont think i see any frostbite just a little purple

 

[Blooie]

Are my eyes as old and faulty as the rest of me or does it look like - at least in the dark colored chicken - a mite or lice infestation?

Also I agree about the high roosts. If you look at the roof above their heads when they are on the roost, do you see what looks like wet spots, just inches from their heads?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

Are my eyes as old and faulty as the rest of me or does it look like - at least in the dark colored chicken - a mite or lice infestation?

Also I agree about the high roosts. If you look at the roof above their heads when they are on the roost, do you see what looks like wet spots, just inches from their heads?

I wondered about the specks too, but thought it might be pine dust? Or dry skin? Definitely worth a closer look for the OP.

 

[Blooie]

I wondered about the specks too, but thought it might be pine dust? Or dry skin? Definitely worth a closer look for the OP.

Most definitely. Those of us who have been at this for awhile know that if chickens are stressed by parasites, their ability to cope with additional issues drops as well. It's too hard on them to split their bodies' resources - some needed to fight off the parasites and some needed to cope with the cold.

 

[Samannemm]

How do I know if they have mites or lice and what do I do to treat it if they do?