Me again with Black/ white spots???????

[karri25]

OK I have looked everywhere and my questions have not been answered fully yet. I hope that I'm not just missing something. It is VERY cold here in Arkansas (for us) and my chickens aren't used to that. I am hoping that they are just suffering from dry skin. My roo has black and a few whitish spots on his comb. Due to the whitish ones I don't think he has been attacked. Also he is VERY dominant to all of the birds that are with him so I don't think that's the problem. HIs spots aren't wet, raised, or totally gross looking if that helps. I read that it might be due to lice or mites but I haven't found any pics to compare to or much info that goes along with that supposition. It probably is time to treat again with DE but it hasn't been that long ago since I treated them. Wouldn't they have to have a large outbreak before they attacked their combs? I hope I'm not going on too long I just want to find out what's wrong and I really don't want it to be anything too serious. Sometimes it feels like someone is always needing extra care

 

[Pinenot]

Have you tried to talk with the online chicken Dr.? www.featherfanciers.com ask the Dr.

Best of luck!

 

[HenHappy]

Sounds like frostbite to me. How cold is it where you are? If it is you can put some vasaline on thier combs to help protect them.

 

[karri25]

I am not familiar with feathersite. I guess I need to check it out.

Our temps have been in the high 20's at night and right below or at freezing during the day. Do you think that would be cold enough to cause the spots??

Also two days ago there were no spots and now here we are and of course I am freaking out!

 

[ZuniBee]

Yes, that is cold enough for frostbite....especially if there is any wind at all. I had some that had exactly what you are describing after a cold spell here. The white spots turn to black spots as the tissue dies. If you massage vaseline on the comb and wattles it will help prevent frostbite and within days of putting it on my birds they were looking great. Rubbing the vaseline in helps blood flow and the tissue seemed to heal pretty good.

 

[HenHappy]

Ya! What he said!LOL!

 

[karri25]

THanks Zuni, that makes me feel better. Now I just have to figure out how my Roo is going to feel about teh whole situation

 

[ivan3]

Just a few links on `frostnip' (whitish spots), vaseline (and kin), and the role of humidity (the wind is a given) in promoting the condition.

Brief description
http://observe.arc.nasa.gov/nasa/earth/wind_chill/chill_frost.html

Finnish in depth study of `grease'
http://herkules.oulu.fi/isbn9514259882/isbn9514259882.pdf

Humidity
http://www.longshadowfarms.com/winter.html

(DW has been experimenting with flannel `comb protectors')

4°F here last night, worse the night before with winds - roo is obviously disgusted with weather but comb tips are all red.

Are any of your roo's comb tips bluish/black? Or just whitish patches on body of comb?

 

[ZuniBee]

I think you will be surprised. They seem to really like it. One hint, don't put a lot of vaseline! I put a lot to really protect them and what a mess! They rubbed it all over their feathers then rubbed in the shavings.... so, just massage it in real good and don't leave any excess. The heat from the comb and wattles will melt the vaseline if you put a lot....