Swollen wattle on my roster. Help!!

[Zimzim27]

So it's been really cold recently and last night as I was closing the coop door and I noticed my roster's wattles were really swollen, so I looked it up and thought it could be frostbite but I wasn't sure. And so today I went out to check on him so I put food in my hand to feed him and he started to eat it, which he Never does, and I noticed how his mouth was just open like he wouldn't close it. I was wondering if he just has frostbite or something else, and how to treat it.

 

[nchls school]

A picture might help member provide assistance.

 

[Ms Clucky]

Open his mouth and see if there is little white or yellow bumps in it. If so, Rural King has teramyacin ointment. My Golden Sebright had that so I put that right on it and in his mouth. You have to do it for a few days or more. It was a hope for the best treatment in my case though. He was always sick one way or another ever since we got him. I had to give him to someone cause I had to many roosters

 

[Wyorp Rock]

So it's been really cold recently and last night as I was closing the coop door and I noticed my roster's wattles were really swollen, so I looked it up and thought it could be frostbite but I wasn't sure. And so today I went out to check on him so I put food in my hand to feed him and he started to eat it, which he Never does, and I noticed how his mouth was just open like he wouldn't close it. I was wondering if he just has frostbite or something else, and how to treat it.

Hi @Zimzim27 Welcome to BYC!

We will be happy to give you our suggestions/input, but we really need more information.
Post some photos of your rooster, the wattles, his beak and inside of the beak if possible.
Adding your location to your profile is helpful - or at least tell us where you are (your state or country is fine).

List any other symptoms you notice - lethargy, sores inside his beak, mucous or discharge, difficulty breathing, etc.

If you have been experiencing cold weather, wattles can suffer frostbite, especially with roosters - they get their wattles wet and those freeze.
If it is Frostbite, minimize the handling of the wattles the best you can, but do try to get him hydrated. Offer him water before you offer food. Once he is able to drink, then see if he can eat for you.

Looking forward to your photos and more information.

 

[Zimzim27]

This is Zeus the roster who's having problems, also I've noticed that when our other roster crows he shakes his head alot.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Is he able to eat/drink on his own? Any obstruction inside the beak? You mentioned in your first post it seemed he couldn't close his beak.

Where are you located?
It does look like Frostbite. Does he have any other symptoms?
I would just monitor the wattles at this time, they may turn black or become fluid filled so keep close watch on him.

Make sure he is staying hydrated and can eat. The shaking of the head, I'm not sure about that. You can look in his ears to see if they are clear of debris and infection.

 

[Eggcessive]

How cold has it been where you are? I have to agree with Wyorp that his wattles appear frostbitten. They are very painful, so do not touch or massage them. Don’t break any blisters. Try to keep him drinking water and mix some wet chick feed with water to make it easier to eat. You may want to bring him inside tonite so that his wattles can slowly warm up. Frostbite will more than likely shorten his wattles when healed.
https://articles.extension.org/pages/70255/frostbite-in-chickens

http://www.poultrydvm.com/condition/frostbite

 

[Eggcessive]

Here are a couple of threads about similar frostbite:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/rooster-with-swollen-comb-and-wattles.741901/

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

 

[Zimzim27]

Eggcessive it has been much below freezing where I am, soon it's supposed to be around 0.

 

[Eggcessive]

How is he feeling and how are his wattles looking today? Is he taking any water or food? I would try to keep your coop bedding thick and stirred so that it dries, and prevent any water spills. That may help keep down coop humidity. If his roost is near the top of the coop, consider lowering it. But when temps are zero, frostbite is pretty common.