Severe Frostbite on Feet-Early Stages, what to do?

[Weavrladies]

My buffs feet look like this and this does not look like frostbite to me.

We had a sultan rooster (had to put down yesterday) that had SEVERE frostbite on both his feet. You would see absolute black on the feet...just like humans....the flesh is dead. We nursed our sultan with epson salt lukewarm bath for the feet and tried to get the circulation going again by massaging feet. We then put antibiotic cream on the feet so as not to get infection if any area was open wound. We nursed our roo for four weeks with same routine and unfortunately two days ago we picked him up...feet were swollen to the dead toes...and he had a hole (which looked like he had ripped it with his nails) in his breast part. We called our awesome vet and he directed us to bring him in. We found out that he was fighting an infection (probably gangrene setting) and that is why he would not heal. We were advised to put him down. We brought him home and we are going to bury him.

Some of the things you will see if it is severe frostbite is the chicken will not be able to walk on feet. Out sultan "Buddy" would walk on his legs not feet (so as to drag himself) and so he was creating abrasions on his legs which we put antibiotic cream on.

FYI: feathered feet chickens need extra care in winter. You will need to make sure their feet are dry so as not to create moisture to freeze their feet.

Most other chicken breeds should weather fine. This is my first year with feathered feet and learning alot. Seems like my roos are more susceptible to get sick. I lost another sultan roo beginning of January. He had respiratory issues. I have not had a problem with my others and frostbite.

 

[what did I do]

Black is a sign of dead feet. If the feet turn black you might want to put her down. This post might help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/738221/frozen-feet-please-help/70#post_12731816

 

[Sunny Chicks]

how is she now? i hve seen the pink feet too

Her feet are bit more reddish pink. Sometimes very cold when I hold her to check her feet, other times though theyre warm. Still not sure what it is :/

 

[wolfpak]

Do NOT EVER "massage" a frostbite!!!! This will result to severe trauma of the tissues, as the frozen ice crystals cause exreme damage. Doing so will cause far more severe injury.

Carefully run the frozen feet, etc under warm water (not hot), or immerse them in warm water to defrost, being extremely careful to not rub the frozen tissue! Once it has defrosted, remove the bird to a warm place & treat for stress.

 

[WildCHILD400]

I have a Bantam Cochin Frizzle about 4 months old who also has frost bite on three toes and black on the pad of her foot. She's suppost to be my show chicken and I check on her feet every other day because they are feathered but today two toes were swollen and one half blue and one Gray. I brought her inside and soaked her in warm water for 5 five minutes then put Neosporin on her pad and some aquaphor (it's like petroleum jelly) on the toe thats tip fell off. About two hours later i soaked her for about 10 minutes then applied more cream. She's in a dog kennel with some straw and a homemade peach made of wood with cloth glued on to help her feet not get cut or cold. She's with her 4 month old sister then there is a divider between those two and my two Wyandotte who are about 1 year old. Each have a big flat perch with fabric on the perches and straw with fresh food and water. What can I do to help my poor chicken and prevent this from happening again. They have a heat lamp with towels half way around the kennel because they're in the garage and it 9 out but about 30 in the garage. In there coop the have wood shavings (just bought straw) a heat lamp and a heated perch and waterer! Where did I go wrong! I live in Michigan and in December it's about 8-10 degrees during the day and 0- -5 at night. PlZ Help

 

[Samannemm]

I have a Bantam Cochin Frizzle about 4 months old who also has frost bite on three toes and black on the pad of her foot. She's suppost to be my show chicken and I check on her feet every other day because they are feathered but today two toes were swollen and one half blue and one Gray. I brought her inside and soaked her in warm water for 5 five minutes then put Neosporin on her pad and some aquaphor (it's like petroleum jelly) on the toe thats tip fell off. About two hours later i soaked her for about 10 minutes then applied more cream. She's in a dog kennel with some straw and a homemade peach made of wood with cloth glued on to help her feet not get cut or cold. She's with her 4 month old sister then there is a divider between those two and my two Wyandotte who are about 1 year old. Each have a big flat perch with fabric on the perches and straw with fresh food and water. What can I do to help my poor chicken and prevent this from happening again. They have a heat lamp with towels half way around the kennel because they're in the garage and it 9 out but about 30 in the garage. In there coop the have wood shavings (just bought straw) a heat lamp and a heated perch and waterer! Where did I go wrong! I live in Michigan and in December it's about 8-10 degrees during the day and 0- -5 at night. PlZ Help

Look at this thread for help: https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/chicks-legs-frozen-solid.1213955/

 

[WildCHILD400]

Thx I have had him in the house now for about a week and he is doing better but still frostbit

 

[Samannemm]

Thx I have had him in the house now for about a week and he is doing better but still frostbit

Glad he’s doing better! I think that’s probably the best thing to do is bring them in the house and then the epsom salt foot baths from what I read.

 

[Viresjessica]

I have never had frost-bitten chickens, but I suggest that you keep their feet warm as possible and maybe soak them in warm water.

To prevent frostbite in the future, put vasaline on their legs and combs.

Vaseline freezes don't do that. I just learned the hard way. My chickens comb was a little black and I put Vaseline on it and I went out this morning and it's so much worse.