Swollen, frostbite and bleeding wattles

[talliejo]

The wattles are very sensitive to pain when swollen. I would not do anything, or not handle them. They will eventually decrease in swelling if he stays in where it is above freezing. Here is some reading about frostbite and a thread to read:
https://the-chicken-chick.com/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes/

https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-health/frostbite-in-chickens/

https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/frostbite-on-roosters-wattles.1145572/

Thanks!

 

[aart]

New here. New to chickens and new to Alaska. Living off grid 65 miles from nearest vet. Temps hit -18 F yesterday.

Have 2 roosters- 8 months old. Wasn’t planning on roosters but ended up with them. They both have large combs and wattles. Both have been experiencing slight frostbite last few weeks.

Yesterday- rooster #1 suddenly had blood all over his chest. I thought the other birds (I have 13 hens as well) were pecking at him so I separated him overnight thinking the bleeding would coagulate overnight. When I checked on him in the morning, the blood was frozen solid and was about 6”x4” of solid frozen blood. I brought him into the warmer garage (35), washed him up and examined for injuries. Could not identify anything but the wattles themselves were bleeding. I put on some antibiotic cream and some kwickstop. He is doing much better now. However, I am now noticing rooster #2 has extremely swollen wattles and are also starting to bleed. I have brought him in to the garage also.
I feel ok about rooster #1 for now, but I am not sure what to do about the swollen wattles for rooster #2.

Rooster #1 has runny poop. Not sure about rooster #2.

Could this be from the extreme cold weather or should I be worried about something else?

Have seen this before, not so much blood and not such cold temps but.....
.....it all healed up in time(several months) with no intervention.
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/

Agrees with @Overo Mare , do not touch it.

 

[nursercht]

Thanks for getting back to me. I’ve had them since they were chicks. Their coop is insulated and has ventilation at the top. I wasn’t so worried about the frostbite as much as I am about the swelling and bleeding. What do you think could be causing that? I’ve put them in the shop where the temp is between 25-35. Think that’s ok? How long should they be in there? I have the two of them in a dog kennel right now because I have no where else to keep them.

The swelling and discoloration are both a result of damage to the tissues from the frostbite. Our Barred Rock roo is going through it now. From what I’ve read, it’s best to keep a layer of petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment on the affected areas to prevent further damage.

 

[Eggcessive]

The swelling and discoloration are both a result of damage to the tissues from the frostbite. Our Barred Rock roo is going through it now. From what I’ve read, it’s best to keep a layer of petroleum jelly or antibiotic ointment on the affected areas to prevent further damage.

Actually I do not recommend putting anything (wound sprays, creams, or ointments) on the frostbitten areas because those can freeze and cause more damage. It may take a week or 2 to see how much damage there has been.