White spots on combs and rooster's wattle

[joebryant]

I was in Florida last week when my brother was staying here caring for the dogs and chickens. He kept the chickens in the coop for three days of 2-16* F weather. That was last week.
Now that I've returned to Indiana as of today, I see little white spots on the combs of the hens and also on the wattle of the rooster. I'm not sure if they've always been there or whether they are the result of frostbite during the three days (Sunday-Tuesday) last week.
Are those thousands of tiny white spots normal or the precursors of something that will raise its ugly head in a few more days.
What should I watch for? Thanks!

EDIT: BTW, I'm hoping that my coops' being well insulated and draft free but well ventilated will have saved the hens from losing their combs and the rooster from losing his comb and his wattle.

 

[silkiechicken]

If you can get a pic, it may help.

 

[joebryant]

Silkiechicken, I was hoping that you especially would see my post and reply because I value your opinions immensely. I need a new camera, but I'll try to get a photo for you tomorrow.

 

[spook]

I agree with silkiechicken, photo's do help. I have found my girls have spells when they are not feeling well, the burden of the cold and cooped up, their combs will look almost powdery.
It will be interesting with what comes up. Are their legs pale? There are some types of chicken anemia that leads to pale combs and wattles...not wishing that on you! Or anyone!

 

[silkiechicken]

Thanks!

Could it possibly be dry combs too if they haven't been out to do their chicken thing?

Didn't you say some of your roos did get frost bite? If it's frost bite, it would start near the tips of the combs and move towards the head.

 

[Wildsky]

I have a few with this white going on, and one of my roo's has it on his wattle thingies as well.

 

[spook]

Of course I typed in white spots on comb and wattle...came up as frostbite. Eeek! But lets hope

its a matter of missing you! Poor cluckers, left to themselves-

You better go sit with the babies and tell them just how sorry you are! (I am just kidding).

 

[joebryant]

Quote:
I only have the one blue Orpington rooster and three hens in a coop of their own plus two silkies in another coop. I was concerned last week that they might get frost bitten; that's why I told my brother to not let them out of the coop until the weather got above freezing on Wednesday.

 

[sammi]

well...Pox is spread from mosquitoes..
not usually a problem in cold weather..

could be that the combination of cold and being cooped up and not moving around alot..maybe not much blood flow to the combs and wattles.
could be a form of Frosbite..

Favus..a fungal infection..usually shows as a powdery substance on the combs and wattles..but might have white spots.

might not hurt to give them some extra protein..cooked eggs for example.

pics would help.

 

[nnbreeder]

It is fairly rare too for a hen to get frostbite as most tuck their heads when they sleep. I have some bantams that free range and roost in the trees and the roosters got their points frostbit but the hens didn't.