Frostbite?

[Ilovechickens2525]

Well I kept hearing how adamant most people are that heat is 100% not needed in the coop and now I think I have two girls with frost bite I am so upset!!! I didn’t get a pic of the other girl but it looks like this too. It’s not just pale from not laying, they are both laying. We had -30 this past week. I have ventilation up high above where they roost but I wonder if their roosts are too high? And they are too close to the vents? I have a panel heater above the roosts but they can’t all fit by it. I have a second one down near their food but maybe I should move it over to the other side above their roosts.

There’s been no dampness or anything in the coop. I have plastic blocking the wind and snow from getting in through their chicken door. I’ve been progressively adding more pine shavings to build up warmth. The coop is insulated. Ugh I just feel awful.

Is there anything I can do to help them?

 

[nuthatched]

She'll be fine, looks like it happened awhile ago. Just leave it alone and monitor it.

 

[Ilovechickens2525]

She'll be fine, looks like it happened awhile ago. Just leave it alone and monitor it.

She was just born this past spring? I’m not sure when it could’ve happened other than the past week that was cold as she’s never experienced cold before this past week.

It’s my first winter with chickens. I’m not sure what to watch for.

 

[Wyorp Rock]

At -30F you likely will have frostbite no matter what.

I agree, it does look like minor Frostbite. It may worsen if the temps remain that low.
The tissue will eventually turn black, sort of shrivel up and eventually fall off. The comb will be rounded.

I would not put anything on the comb, leave it alone.

 

[Ilovechickens2525]

At -30F you likely will have frostbite no matter what.

I agree, it does look like minor Frostbite. It may worsen if the temps remain that low.
The tissue will eventually turn black, sort of shrivel up and eventually fall off. The comb will be rounded.

I would not put anything on the comb, leave it alone.

Temps are warming up this week. But, this isn’t even that cold for us. We will get -40 to -50 C cold snaps as the winter progresses. I don’t want this to happen again or to more of them. What can I do?

So just leave it alone? There’s nothing I can do??

Some info on google says to spray it with something?

Others say Vaseline, which I’ve also heard others say don’t use and to use coconut oil instead. But is that more preventive and not after the fact?

 

[Yardmom]

Unfortunately combs get frost bite, and single combs are more likely to get it than combs that are closer to the head. It is part of chickens living in environments below freezing. Luckily their feathers keep the rest of them warm. It might be a struggle for humans to watch frostbite, but messing with it will do more harm than good

 

[nuthatched]

Temps are warming up this week. But, this isn’t even that cold for us. We will get -40 to -50 C cold snaps as the winter progresses. I don’t want this to happen again or to more of them. What can I do?

So just leave it alone? There’s nothing I can do??

Some info on google says to spray it with something?

Others say Vaseline, which I’ve also heard others say don’t use and to use coconut oil instead. But is that more preventive and not after the fact?

Do no apply anything to it, don't touch it or it will get worse.
If it gets that cold, I'd recommend breeds that have rose or pea combs.
there's nothing you can do if it gets that cold.

 

[Ilovechickens2525]

Do no apply anything to it, don't touch it or it will get worse.
If it gets that cold, I'd recommend breeds that have rose or pea combs.
there's nothing you can do if it gets that cold.

Ugh ok. Poor girls. I do have a few with rose combs, they are out there living their best lives right now. Feel bad for my three with larger combs though. My copper marans are doing ok too, they have smaller single combs. Obviously their feathered feet are a worry but I went to check on their feet just now and they seem good. I do have flat roosting bars so everyone has been able to keep their feet warm and the coop has stayed nice and dry.

 

[aart]

Agrees, do not touch it, before or after.
It will heal but it can take months for it to fully recover.
Here's a pictorial story of the progress:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/

 

[Wyorp Rock]

Temps are warming up this week. But, this isn’t even that cold for us. We will get -40 to -50 C cold snaps as the winter progresses. I don’t want this to happen again or to more of them. What can I do?

So just leave it alone? There’s nothing I can do??

Some info on google says to spray it with something?

Others say Vaseline, which I’ve also heard others say don’t use and to use coconut oil instead. But is that more preventive and not after the fact?

Not sure how I've missed the very good article plus PHOTOS! that @aart wrote (It's awesome, Thank You!).
I highly recommend that you read it, look at the photos too. Very much in line with what I've personally seen in my flock.

I would not apply any type of vaseline/oil, etc. on a comb that has been frostbitten, this could be painful and may even damage the tissue more.

I do understand the feeling of wanting to help or do something, but it's best to leave the comb alone.

Agrees, do not touch it, before or after.
It will heal but it can take months for it to fully recover.
Here's a pictorial story of the progress:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/frostbite-in-sw-michigan.74597/