I’m in new chicken owner in New England and running a no-heat coop this winter. Today I noticed that my Brown Leghorn has a pale streak across her comb, and I’m wondering if this could be the start of frostbite?
Two nights ago it dropped to around 4°F (with even lower wind chills). When I checked on them the next morning it was about 5°F, all the girls were already outside walking around and seemed totally fine. At that point, my Leghorn didn’t have the pale line.
Last night was much milder (around 12°F), and this morning is when I noticed the stream. I had applied a bit of olive oil to her comb and wattles before the 4°F night.
I’m using the deep litter method, and I believe I have adequate ventilation without any noticeable drafts.
Has anyone seen this kind of pale line before? Is it early frostbite, a circulation issue, or something else entirely? She’s my only Brown Leghorn, and my two White Australorps and one Black Sex Link seem completely normal. The Leghorn herself is acting totally fine and she was outside most of the day today (around 34°F) and behaving like usual.
Two nights ago it dropped to around 4°F (with even lower wind chills). When I checked on them the next morning it was about 5°F, all the girls were already outside walking around and seemed totally fine. At that point, my Leghorn didn’t have the pale line.
Last night was much milder (around 12°F), and this morning is when I noticed the stream. I had applied a bit of olive oil to her comb and wattles before the 4°F night.
I’m using the deep litter method, and I believe I have adequate ventilation without any noticeable drafts.
Has anyone seen this kind of pale line before? Is it early frostbite, a circulation issue, or something else entirely? She’s my only Brown Leghorn, and my two White Australorps and one Black Sex Link seem completely normal. The Leghorn herself is acting totally fine and she was outside most of the day today (around 34°F) and behaving like usual.
