Roosters comb frostbit

[pepe1]

My BA rooster comb is frost bitten not too badly but i have heard that will effect his fertility, is this true, he has 10 hens with him i am looking to hatch from their eggs in February, Thank you!!

 

[Latestarter]

It will not affect his fertility... If you got frostbite on your nose, would it affect yours?

 

[3riverschick]

I think your rooster is going to have to heal his comb first before he is going to be fertile. sorry about that. I had to wait till May and June one year for my cocks combs to heal up and I could start my breeding program .
There are a bunch of articles online about this topic. the most scientific ones seem to say that yes you need to wait till the comb heals. and I found that out to be true in my case.
Best,
Karen

 

[Latestarter]

http://articles.extension.org/pages/70255/frostbite-in-chickens
Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky
"Both egg production and fertility may be affected by extremely low temperatures, whether or not frostbite is evident. The birds will recover their reproductive status as temperatures warm up."

 

[AmazingRachel]

As long as the frostbite isn't severe (like, all the tips and most of the blade are necrotic) it should not affect fertility. The only reason why frostbite can affect fertility is because it is, technically, a burn that can cause a lot of pain and it takes a while to heal. Obviously, if a roo is in pain, it doesn't want to mate as often.

 

[AmazingRachel]

http://articles.extension.org/pages/70255/frostbite-in-chickens
Written by: Dr. Jacquie Jacob, University of Kentucky
"Both egg production and fertility may be affected by extremely low temperatures, whether or not frostbite is evident. The birds will recover their reproductive status as temperatures warm up."

i was just looking at that lol

 

[Latestarter]

Indeed... If the bird is in pain (from anything, including frostbite) it's not going to be interested in "extracurricular" activity... But it's not the frostbite per say that's causing the loss of fertility, it's the freezing cold. Virtually all roosters loose their fertility when it's cold enough to cause severe frostbite. Just like most hens stop laying, or lose their fertility. The frostbite heals up in a matter of a couple of weeks enough that there's no more pain and it's no longer a factor.

 

[Chickassan]

You can actually help your roosters situation a little bit by bumping up his protein to help hasten the healing process. I'd imagine all your flock would appreciate a little extra winter umph! I've been giving mine live mealworms and superworms plus any meat trimmings. I'm not really dead set on breeding my rooster, but he was frostbitten and I'd like for him to be uncomfortable for the least amount of time possible.

 

[HenOnAJuneBug]

Some of the ladies might laugh at him for the smaller size, which conceivably could affect his confidence, so tell him to tell them that it's not the size of the pen that matters, but how he signs his name.

 

[Latestarter]

so size really DOESN'T matter?