How Often Should I Re-apply Vitamin E Oil to Stop Frostbite?

[Allie Grace Sanders]

I'm using vitamin E oil to try to prevent even more frostbite from coming. How often do I need to reapply it? My rooster's comb is already half black from frostbite. I've already applied it multiple times. Thanks, in advance.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I would stop applying it. You are probably making it worse by adding moisture to the area. I would leave it be before you cause more damage. Messing with frostbitten tissue is painful to the bird and can damage more tissue.

 

[junebuggena]

Vitamin E helps heal frostbite, but it won't stop more frostbite from occuring. For that, you need to figure WHY he got frostbite. Does your coop have enough ventilation? Is the bedding dry? Are the roosts positioned to keep the birds out of the direct path of airflow?

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

Vitamin E helps heal frostbite, but it won't stop more frostbite from occuring. For that, you need to figure WHY he got frostbite. Does your coop have enough ventilation? Is the bedding dry? Are the roosts positioned to keep the birds out of the direct path of airflow?

I don't think they are in the path of airflow... I will add fresh bedding tomorrow morning, because I was just out there and it is so cold.(wind chill is -30°) They have good ventilation. Also, one of my pullets is way more fluffed up than her sisters, she has poo stuck all over her, her frostbite is the worst, and it looks like she might have egg white on her butt. Is this normal?

 

[junebuggena]

I don't think they are in the path of airflow... I will add fresh bedding tomorrow morning, because I was just out there and it is so cold.(wind chill is -30°) They have good ventilation. Also, one of my pullets is way more fluffed up than her sisters, she has poo stuck all over her, her frostbite is the worst, and it looks like she might have egg white on her butt. Is this normal?

Not normal. Fluffed up means she's chilled. And it sounds like she slept under the roosts rather than on them. I suspect that your roosts may be poorly positioned in relation to vents. Wind chill should not be a factor inside the coop.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

We have a pre-built coop(newbie mistake). So, is my pullet sick? I love all of my girls, and I don't want to lose them!

 

[junebuggena]

You need to address your coop issues ASAP. I know it's cold, but the coop clearly isn't functioning like it needs to, as is. Some pictures will help us see what needs to be changed.
Bring the pullet indoors for observation and supportive care. She needs to be cleaned up first. Use a damp cloth and try to clean off as much poo as you can. You do not want to get her too wet. Get her warmed up. Vitamins and electrolytes mixed into her water is a good start. And if she won't eat dry feed, try soaking some till it dissolves into a gruel and dip her beak in it to encourage swallowing.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

OK, will post pics of coop. My girl is eating dry feed. Should I just put a heat lamp in my coop? Indiana winters are horrible we have power outages a lot.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My chickens sit hunched up when they are cold, that is normal. If they don't get movng when I toss out scratch than I would worry.

A prefab coop would be a nightmare. We are experiencing similar temperatures. Too much ventilation will cause frostbite at those temperatures. My bantam coop I close up when it gets this cold and I see zero frostbite.

My large shed is more ventilated and I have birds with frostbite every year. You can't stop it at temperatures below -10 unless your coop is insulated. The cracks around my doors are my ventilation in my bantam coop in winter. All do fine.

 

[Allie Grace Sanders]

My chickens sit hunched up when they are cold, that is normal. If they don't get movng when I toss out scratch than I would worry.

A prefab coop would be a nightmare. We are experiencing similar temperatures. Too much ventilation will cause frostbite at those temperatures. My bantam coop I close up when it gets this cold and I see zero frostbite.

My large shed is more ventilated and I have birds with frostbite every year. You can't stop it at temperatures below -10 unless your coop is insulated. The cracks around my doors are my ventilation in my bantam coop in winter. All do fine.

Ok, I will close the vents. They move around at feeding time. So, no heat lamp? The food and water are outside, so that encourages them to move about.