Possible frostbite? Pictures added on first page!!

[BethieofVA]

We have had a big snow here in VA . My chickens are in a covered run and have full use of their coop. It has not been crazy cold, yesterday it was 28, but I do see a few black spots on one of my hen's combs. She is my best layer and it is bright red with a few black spots. I can not remember if I have ever noticed before. She is also bottom of the order, so I am thinking possible pecking marks. I was wondering if I should put some A&D ointment or vaseline on it? I will try to get a pic shortly.

I don't see anything on the other six birds. Thanks.

Beth

 

[featherz]

My chickens always have a few black spots on the comb, I think they peck each other.

I do have a bit of frostbite on my big combed leghorns - with mine, it's ONLY at the tips, which appears to be where it starts in most chickens. And it turns white before turning black.

 

[Egghead_Jr]

Mine too get the black marks from pecking. My leghorns, which are not suited for northern weather have white on the 1/4" tips of their 3/4" tipped combs. Frostbite for sure.

 

[Judy]

I would definitely guess pecking. She probably doesn't need anything on it unless it looks infected. Might consider stocking some BluKote, though. It's a disinfectant as well as discouraging pecking.

 

[PepsNick]

I have to disagree. I'm pretty sure that my chickens have frostbite and it sounds like the same thing as yours', and the ones that have it are at top of the pecking order. Is the comb ripped at all? What is the ventilation like in our coop?

 

[95yj]

frost bite isn't necessarily caused by exposure to cold, pretty much all birds can handle that just fine, its almost always caused by a combination of moisture and cold. When the exposed flesh of the comb of wattles get exposed to moisture, such as a damp coop, the water freezes and the birds can't keep them warm. You often see this on long wattled birds who accidentally fid there wattles in the water when they drink. But what your describing sounds like normal scarring from usual chicken bickering. When it gets really cold out or if your afraid the coop may be a little damp you are correct, vaseline is the best course of action since water can't bind to the oil.

 

[BethieofVA]

I know these are not the best pics, but that chicken can move!! I see absolutely nothing on the other birds. Thanks!!

 

[BethieofVA]

BTW, there coop is very dry, chock full of shavings, etc...

I too wonder about getting her wattle wet, like snow blowing in on it, etc....


Thanks!!

 

[PepsNick]

Quote:
Frostbite. Or fowl pox.

 

[radiodog]

my andy got this last year....frostbite; and she was top dog in the coop. it wasn't pecking/picking.