Roo with a couple dark tips on his comb and thin black stripes as well

[peacebird]

What would cause his comb to get several thin black stripes? He seems happy enough - the discolored tips on his comb happened after a week of extreme temps (in the teens at night). the stripes go from the lower points in his comb downward and look much like spidery varicose veins?

 

[Buster]

My guess is frostbite. My salmon faveroles rooster has the same thing, except it's been much colder here. I don't know how to prevent it though. Any suggestions anyone?

 

[jab91864]

Maybe the frostbite is spreading, or starting to infect ...

Did you try to put anything on his comb ?? I've used bag balm in the past. I think blue kote is recommended but I don't know if it does anything other than coat...such as being an antibiotic.

I'm sure someone with more knowledge will come along soon !!

Good luck !!

Julie

 

[pollysmum]

Roosters tend not to tuck their heads under their wings at night time... so any condensation will gather on the tips of the combs, and this in turn causes loss of circulation

Normally roo's will have a slightly blue tipped comb first thing on most mornings due to this habit, and usually its nothing to worry about

For your bird I would strongly suggest you get some vapor rub and rub it all over his comb.. not vigorously... just put it on so he has a covering... it will make the comb water resistant and also help it to keep the circulation

If you can't find the vapor rub, just use petroleum jelly will do the same thing

If the tips turn back then you need to post back here again please

 

[sammi]

I think I'd try to warm him up some.
is the spot he roosts on near a draft, or leak?

maybe a heat light would help in the coop.
and no drafts or leaks...

maybe a little polysporin ointment would help if there is any infection going on.

vaseline on combs and wattles help keep natural moisture in, and water off.

 

[peacebird]

none of my birds allow me to pick them up.... And the Roo is by far the most skittish of the flock. He makes sure there is good distance between me and him when he comes out of the run or goes in.

Anyone have ideas on how to catch him to put something on his comb without further freaking him out?

 

[jjthink]

If he's that skittish you might have to do it after he's in sleepyland at night, as quietly and efficiently as possible. He will still wake up and be stressed, but less so.
JJ

 

[pollysmum]

Doesn't matter what birds you have, non usually like to have things done to them

So... the easiest way to do anything to birds that don't like you touching them .. is wait until they roost at night time, go to sleep, give them an hour.

Then go into the coop with a small pen light.. or a light with red paper over it to give a red light hue, and put the cream, jelly or what ever you decide to put onto the comb

If you need to do other things... wrap the bird in a towel and take them inside and stand then on something that they can't slip around on and do what ever you need to do

Do not make a lot of noise.. none is better, keep bright lights down to a minimum, and do what you need to do quickly and take them back to the coop and place them onto the roost and make sure they are balanced and leave them to sleep

Do not go and put a light on in the coop waking up all the birds
Do not joke around laughing etc, it will wake and scare the birds

 

[Buster]

A friend of mine has a "chicken stick". It's 5 or 6 feet long and has a hook on the end for snagging their feet so you can pick them up. It's the best way I've ever seen for catching chickens. He caught all 11 of mine in about 3 minutes with it. I'm going to get one.