I have a chicken with frozen feet help

[elibar90]

With this cold -40 or -70 f with wind chill I have had one chicken die and one with both feet frozen I have him in a kennel wrapped in a blanket he seems comfortable, but is there any thing else that I can do?

 

[Eggcessive]

Make sure they are out of drafts inside the coop with some ventilation overhead to let out humidity. Here are some very good links for info plus a good thread on frostbite:

http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/12/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes.html
http://www.hobbyfarms.com/livestock-and-pets/frostbite-in-chickens.aspx
http://www.tillysnest.com/2013/01/frostbite-and-backyard-chickens.html
https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/842760/frost-bitten-feet

 

[Nambroth]

Was he outside? When it is this bitter cold, it's best to keep them in a coop or shelter if you can, especially out of the wind and to keep their feet off the frozen earth.

How badly did his feet freeze? He will likely have frostbite, but the severity of it depends on what will happen to him. If surface tissues only froze, he may recover with some peeling and discomfort. If the feet truly froze and the deep tissues are dead, the feet will become necrotic and he might die without drastic measures.

I would suggest treating his feet the same way you would with frostbite in people. Don't massage them, and you can do warm (NOT HOT!) water soaks. Don't let his feet freeze again no matter what, or any chances of recovery he has will be greatly reduced. If he develops blisters, you can use a little antibiotic ointment on them.

It will probably be a few days before you can tell how bad the freeze damage was... just observe him carefully and keep a very close eye on his feet.

Best wishes to both of you!!

 

[elibar90]

NO they were in the coop with a heat lamp I think they got kicked off the roost and that was the problem. not sure how bad they froze but they have thawed and one seems to bee working but the other is curled in a ball only time will tell.

 

[Nambroth]

I see. Good luck with him! If the damage seems bad in a day or three, you can post photos and maybe we can help you figure out how bad the damage is and what actions to take.

Best wishes for your roo!

 

[elibar90]

He is doing very well today the blister really shows but only the one and foot is swollen so keeping an eye on it. He is eating and drinking very well and even walking around using both his feet I am so happy I don't think we will lose him like the other.

 

[Nambroth]

That is great news! Just keep an eye on it until it's fully healed. It would be sad to have him beat the frostbite only to get an infection!