SEVERELY Frostbitten Toes - Update **Graphic Pictures**

[shay20]

Oh my god, i am s sorry she has that, but thank you for posting pics, becouse now i know my roo does NOT have bubble foot, it is the same as yours, he has frost bite.

he is going to loose his foot.

 

[hen-thusiast]

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Thanks for the suggestion. We've been pretty diligent about cleaning out their pen a lot, so poop hasn't really been a problem. I know somebody else suggested vitamin E cream in an earlier post, maybe we'll have to get some tonight. Nature is also doing a great job. One dead toe fell off today and the skin underneath is really healthy and beautiful.

The roo that lost all his feet, how is he doing? Do you have to bring him inside during those cold MN winters or is he fine? Do you wrap it now in anything? Vet said they would be more prone to bumblefoot. Is that the case with yours?

BTW - I soooo don't miss those MN winters. Spent 18 winters freezing my butt off just outside St. Paul.

 

[hen-thusiast]

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I'm glad you found the pictures useful, I still cringe when I see them.

The one thing I've learned so far in this process is that there are many other chickens out there that have lost their entire foot (or feet) to frostbite and have gone on to have long, healthy lives. With some TLC he'll come around.

 

[muttly]

Keep up the good work, I do not think those little birds are ready to give up they have a lot of fight left in them!

 

[princess araucana]

Is there a general rule of thumb regarding temperature and frostbite?
If it gets to a certain temperature should they not go outside?

Sounds like you are doing a GREAT job with these girls and this is a very educational thread.

 

[the4heathernsmom]

looks like you are doing a great job. I have never experienced this but thanks for the pics and the info ......

 

[muttly]

There is a few variables about frostbite among them exposure-time,temp,humidity/moisture and wind; condition/over all health-level of hydration, proper nutrition and level of stress.
Among these I personally rank proper hydration as the most important by far,as water is critical for every bodily function including maintaining body temp! ICE FREE CLEAN WATER AT ALL TIMES ALWAYS EVERYDAY ! Second would be proper shelter that offers protection from wind/drafts yet allows for proper ventilation, protection from moisture in the forms of rain/snow and condensation again proper ventilation. This means they have access to food and water in a protected enviroment not outside in the wind and snow. Frostbite can occur very quickly to a wet, hungry, thirsty, stressed bird. When the temps dip below freezing give them some extra food, a few handfuls of scratch and maybe a warm treat, like Moms will always tell you "a full belly will keep you warm". Chickens can handle some seriously cold temps well below zero as long as they are well hydrated, well fed, low-stress as possible as cold is stress, dry and sheltered with proper ventilation. From someone who has had a touch of frostbite it stings like all get out so an ounce of prevention, you know the rest. These are just rules I try to fallow....
Good Luck And Remember ICE FREE CLEAN WATER AT ALL TIMES ALWAYS EVERYDAY !

 

[strawberryfields]

hen-thusiast,

Though the situation is a little different (blood circulation cut off for my rooster) I have a very similar problem. I got some baytril for my roo. Now how long did your vet say to give it to your girls?

I am concerned because this happened to my roo on the weekend before Christmas, and his toes still haven't dropped off, even though I am sure he is going to lose them. In fact, I am pretty sure he is going to lose more than I first thought, but he is showing a lot of improvement. Maybe because he is so much older?

Thank you again for taking such excellent, excellent care of those girls!!! You are a testimony to the rest of us

 

[hen-thusiast]

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Try 18 long, cold MN winters. Utah boy.

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Easy for you to say, you make me do the hard jobs. Like trying to open their mouth for the antibiotic pill.

BTW - I can say stuff like this to him teasingly. He's my DH and is used to my sarcasm.

 

[hen-thusiast]

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He didn't really say. They each got a 14 day course and he said to talk to him at the end of the prescription. Based on how they were doing, they would either get another 14 day course or we would end it. Based on their progress so far, I'm assuming it will end after 14 days.

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The vet said it might take up to two years for all the dead tissue to fall off. The time frame depends on nature. Only one of the toes have fallen off so far and I'm not sure how old the frostbite was. I'm assuming it is around two weeks old, but could be older. Nature will let them fall off when the tissue underneath it is ready. So I wouldn't worry or try to force it, it's just still healing under there.