chicksofclaridon
Songster
Hello,
I am a first time chicken mom and totally freaking out. I have 6 hens (2 white leg horns, 2 wyandottes and 2 ameraucanas), all are 8 months old. Last night and this morning have been bitterly cold, -9F/-18F with wind chill. Last night I coated my leg horns combs with green goo just to be safe, afraid of any possible frost bite (their coop is ventilated, but I am a worrier!). This morning everyone looked and acted fine, except all the tips on the leg horns combs are pale/white. They feel very warm to the touch. I made them oatmeal this morning with cayenne pepper to help their circulation, but a few hours later and it doesn't look any different. I am not sure if this is the beginning of frost bite or just reduced circulation or what. They have a well ventilated, straw filled coop but they are preferring to stay out in the sunshine despite the low temps. Their run is roofed, filled with straw and wrapped with tarps to keep the wind out, and they have a little panel heater in the run right now (just during this extreme cold). I honestly don't know what more I could do to keep them safe and comfortable, but any tips or insight about what is going on with their combs would be so appreciated.
(First post here, I tried to attach a photo but if it isn't visible please let me know!)
Thank you in advance!
I am a first time chicken mom and totally freaking out. I have 6 hens (2 white leg horns, 2 wyandottes and 2 ameraucanas), all are 8 months old. Last night and this morning have been bitterly cold, -9F/-18F with wind chill. Last night I coated my leg horns combs with green goo just to be safe, afraid of any possible frost bite (their coop is ventilated, but I am a worrier!). This morning everyone looked and acted fine, except all the tips on the leg horns combs are pale/white. They feel very warm to the touch. I made them oatmeal this morning with cayenne pepper to help their circulation, but a few hours later and it doesn't look any different. I am not sure if this is the beginning of frost bite or just reduced circulation or what. They have a well ventilated, straw filled coop but they are preferring to stay out in the sunshine despite the low temps. Their run is roofed, filled with straw and wrapped with tarps to keep the wind out, and they have a little panel heater in the run right now (just during this extreme cold). I honestly don't know what more I could do to keep them safe and comfortable, but any tips or insight about what is going on with their combs would be so appreciated.
(First post here, I tried to attach a photo but if it isn't visible please let me know!)
Thank you in advance!