Is this frostbite? And what do I do about it?

cperezpeeps

Hatching
7 Years
Apr 8, 2012
6
0
7
This is my first winter with chickens and it has been quite a learning curve (we live outside of Boston). I have 4 lovely Buff Orps who seem pretty unfazed by the winter weather and hang out in their run all day in the bitter cold. A couple of weeks back it was around 0 degrees (F) or below for a few days and I finally turned on a little heater in their coop just in case. For a while I was also putting a thick layer of vaseline on their combs and wattles once a day to protect against frostbite. Despite doing these two things, 2 out of my 4 hens have what I think is the beginnings of frostbite. I'm not sure what to do about it - if anything. Their coop is not insulated, and I have been trying the deep litter method (not sure it is generating any heat though, as it is on a raised wood floor). I keep the coop door closed at night. There is no ammonia smell in the coop, so I don't think there is a lot of moisture in there, but I could be wrong. The litter seems dry enough. Any thoughts? Thanks.
 
I'd say it is but doesn't look too serious. I've had a lot worse and they did OK. Just watch for infection but I doubt it will be a problem unless it gets worse.
The only birds I put heat on are Pene roosters when it gets below 25. Their huge combs and wattles get bit pretty bad below 20F,
 
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Hi ChickenCanoe,

Thanks for your response. Is there any way to prevent this from happening? Or to stop it from getting worse?

Thanks!
 

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