Rooster lost toes to frostbite

[Susancnw]

My favorite rooster lost most of his toes to frostbite. It got very cold a couple of months ago and he was thrust to the outside by another rooster...he doesn't seem to be in pain. He does 'stump' around and sits down. We moved him into another area so the other roosters don't pick on him any more and the hens in that area are much nicer to him. He's settled in well.

We don't think he is in pain, he eats and drinks with the rest of them...do we need to consider culling him or are we okay?

He's an Americauna named Ziggy and I would hate to cull him but I don't want him to suffer.

 

[Eggcessive]

It is fairly common to have a few frostbitten toes in very cold climates. As long as a chicken can get around to eat and drink, and has a decent quality of life without pain, I would let him live, especially since you have moved him away from the other roosters. If he starts getting picked on by his hens, ot needs special care, then culling may be a good choice. Here are some articles for lots of reading and pictures of others with this problem:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=frostbite+in+toes
https://www.backyardchickens.com/newsearch?search=frostbitten+feet

 

[Susancnw]

Thank you. He doesn't seem to be in pain and is eating and drinking and we are trying to give him treats also to spoil him. I consider(ed) him our best rooster...the Americauna/rhode island red mix is a jerk and bully. Am ready for him to go 'live' in the dumpster.

 

[Blooie]

@Susancnw You might be interested in the adventures of Scout, my Easter Egger that suffered from frost bitten feet when he was just a baby. He's doing great, and I'm so glad we kept him. Of course, I don't have any other roos that he has to compete with, but you sound so much like me.....so many times I questioned if we were doing the right thing in not culling him.

You can read Scout's story by clicking on the link at the bottom of this post in my signature lines. I totally understand what you're feeling! Eggcessive is right - so many frostbitten toes, so many success stories!