Rooster comb and wattles almost all black

[Cockadoodie]

My only rooster is flailing his head back and forth to show me and because it's uncomfortable the big black pouches at the bottom of his wattles. I think it's frostbitten but I don't know how to make it more comfortable. And does it effect his oxygen? Any thoughts ? Also obviously his combs too! Is he in pain?

 

[tlcmurphy]

That’s frostbite, it’s very painful. Don’t apply anything to it or rub it. The black parts will eventually fall off and he will be OK. I’m sorry this happened.

 

[Cockadoodie]

That’s frostbite, it’s very painful. Don’t apply anything to it or rub it. The black parts will eventually fall off and he will be OK. I’m sorry this happened.

Thanks for reaffirming for me. I'm sure appreciate the support here

 

[tlcmurphy]

You’re most welcome

 

[BigBlueHen53]

He's not flailing it to show you, he's doing it bc it hurts. Like when you burn your fingers or smack your thumb with a hammer. Nothing you can do to help. Is it cold where you are now? Try to make sure he's not hitting his comb or wattles on anything when he eats or drinks, and not getting his wattles wet when he drinks.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

It does not affect his oxygen.

 

[BGcoop]

The comb appears to have a nice demarcation line and the black parts will fall off above that line- he will be left with a rounded off comb. Leave it alone. The wattles look a little less obvious- again I would just leave them alone at this point but I’d keep an eye on them for infection. As suggested try to keep him clean and avoid banging the damaged areas as much as possible. (The black parts no longer have feeling and don’t hurt, but the line between the good and bad tissue is what is painful)

 

[MROO]

I agree with @BigBlueHen53, the best things you can do are to keep him comfortable, minimize any chances of his bumping the sore spots and protect him from dampness and icy temps. Just like with people and pets, until that heals he's highly susceptible to more frostbite.
Once it's fully healed, you can put petroleum jelly (Vaseline) on his comb and wattles to help ward off the issue.
Years back, I had a cockerel that the flockmaster would not always allow into the coop. With a nasty cold snap coming, I knew he needed some extra protection, just-in-case, so I started putting a light covering on his "manly red parts" at night. He fought it at first, but apparently decided it felt nice. For years, he would come right up to me and lower his head for a massage!

EDIT TO ADD:
Do NOT put the goop on his comb or wattles now! That's for NEXT winter, and only to help protect his damaged parts. The best prevention is to make sure your coop has good ventilation and no added moisture. If you can keep their waterer out of the roosting area, that should help.

 

[Eggcessive]

Agreed, that is frostbite of the comb and wattles. Can you describe your coop and ventilation? How cold has it been there recently? His wattles have gotten wet in his water, and are frozen. Don’t rub or massage his comb or wattles, or apply anything to them. They will become more rounded off in a few weeks.