Sick rooster - frostbite?

[cdunmire66]

We have been having some near 0 temps and our coops is mostly enclosed to the elements but last evening we noticed our rooster was on the roost and unable to hold his head up. His comb and waddle is swollen and very warm to the touch. The comb is also oozing some now. We moved him indoors to a dog pen and I am giving him water with an injector. He survived last night but not certain if it is frostbite and if so what to do?

 

[Crazy Maizie]

That is frostbite and quite excessive. He could be in pain and that is why he's holding his head down.
Let me tag a few people who might be able to offer some advice.
@aart
@Eggcessive

 

[cdunmire66]

I wish we would have noticed this sooner. He had some mild frostbite on the comb from a few years ago but this surprised me. None of our other birds have this going on, just him and I am hoping we can get him better. I have coated it with Neosporin a few times already.

 

[aart]

I am hoping we can get him better. I have coated it with Neosporin a few times already.

Best to leave hands off.
Nothing will make it heal any faster....takes months for it to fully resolve.
Here's some pictorial examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/

The swelling of the wattles are what's causing the bowed head,
swelling should reduce after a few days and he'll feel better.

 

[WIchickMama]

Poor guy--agree with @aart hands off is best so that it will heal the best.

You can give him some chewable aspirin for the pain

 

[cdunmire66]

Best to leave hands off.
Nothing will make it heal any faster....takes months for it to fully resolve.
Here's some pictorial examples:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/

The swelling of the wattles are what's causing the bowed head,
swelling should reduce after a few days and he'll feel better.

Thank you for the information. We will continue to keep him indoors for a while till he is better and leave it alone. I will keep giving him water with a syringe and try a little corn mash later

 

[cdunmire66]

Poor guy--agree with @aart hands off is best so that it will heal the best.

You can give him some chewable aspirin for the pain

I know, I feel horrible about this. How much aspirin? I have 81 mg here that I have to take daily. I also have Maloxicam that is for pain and inflammation.

 

[WIchickMama]

I know, I feel horrible about this. How much aspirin? I have 81 mg here that I have to take daily. I also have Maloxicam that is for pain and inflammation.

I have only given 40 mg at a time, twice a day but someone else might have a different amount.

 

[aart]

Thank you for the information. We will continue to keep him indoors for a while till he is better and leave it alone. I will keep giving him water with a syringe and try a little corn mash later

Keeping him indoors isn't going to help him much...getting him back out into the cold is gonna be tough.

 

[cdunmire66]

Keeping him indoors isn't going to help him much...getting him back out into the cold is gonna be tough.

I can’t put him back into the coop till he can hold his head up. The others would likely pick on him if we did and he would never get better. He is in the basement where it is cooler at least.