What to do??

[Rosieposie6]

My rooster is getting frostbite on his waddle and combs:/ this is his first winter. He sleeps underneath a heated board which you can see hanging. I just put that board up once I started to notice the frost bite. Last night when I checked on him it was the first time I’ve seen him tuck his comb in under his wing usually he’s just sleeping with it out. Should I bring him into our shed until the below freezing temps go up next week or just wait it out? Our shed is only maybe a few degrees higher than outside it’s not a drastic change is temperature that would affect his ability to acclimate. It’s been below freezing with high winds here in Michigan. I’m also adding a picture of the run and coop. I have a thick plastic wrapped around the windows to keep it draft free, I do have some of it at the top open to get air in and out. Does my coop need more ventilation or less? All of my other hens seem to be doing good he is too but I’m worried about his comb but I also understand he’s got a big waddle it’s kind of inevitable. Some people say they use Vaseline for the waddles to keep the water off when they drink but idk if that’s safe either to aggravate it more.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Roosters tend to not tuck their head under a wing at night, so they are more prone to frostbite. The damage is done, and usually it isn't preventable when temps fall below 0 on larger combed birds. All the damaged parts will slough off eventually. I'd personally leave him where he's at. Next winter he won't be as much at risk for frostbite. Now that he has damage I wouldn't be handling the tissue by trying to put Vaseline on it, which doesn't help at very cold temps.