The temperature was minus-5 degrees F , meaning it was a bundle - up sunup here in Michigan : extra layers , balaclava , caloric socks , liners under my workplace mitt . As the wind blew powdered coke across our acreage , I headed out for the morning release . Feeders were topped off , frozen waterer swapped for fresh , and all coop doors insure again — the birds all still inside . With the bone - chilling eruption tug the temperature below zero , it was n’t secure for the chickens — or me — to be alfresco . When I snuff it back at bottom , however , I was n’t alone . Davey Orpington peeked out from under my arm , his eyes bright and brisk but his comb softened , its tips sinister purpleness with frostbite .
“ Frostbite is one of those risks for any beast , including humans , when temperatures turn cold , ” notes Dr. R. M. “ Mick ” Fulton , a veterinary pathologist with 30 years experience in poultry pathology and medicine .
According to Fulton , appendage such as a chicken ’s toes , wattles and coxcomb are most susceptible to frostbite as these areas by nature lack the warmth brought by right circulation .
“ Those complex body part then die on their ends and get blackened and leathery , which is referred to as teetotal gangrene , ” explain Fulton , who also holds a doctor’s degree stage in pathology and is a diplomate of the American College of Poultry Veterinarians .
Preventing Frostbite
safeguard your flock ’s bodily structure set forth with ensure their residential structure can stand firm the wintertime . All door and windows should shut tightly within their shape , with no drafts figure to chill your wimp . While ventilation opening night are necessary for air circulation , these should not be too big , nor should they open right away onto the birds or their rod .
“ The accession of idle words quickens the exploitation of frostbite , ” states Fulton . “ Eliminating drawing — and thus fart chill — would assist preclude frostbite . ”
These precautions might not be enough , however .
Ana Hotaling
“ Even without rough drawing , frostbite can develop , ” notes Fulton .
It all come down to exposure of those tenuous combs , wattles and toes . While all chickens have toe , not all stock have stale - stout combs . prevent frostbite out of your spate might just be a issue of in effect breed selection . In regions where the winter temperatures routinely drop below freeze , breeds withsingle and buttercup combs — magniloquent and multipointed — are more susceptible to frostbite than breeds with pea and cushion combs — little combs that consist low to the skull . Sicilian Buttercups , Lakenvelders and Silver Gray Dorkings are sensational but wo n’t prevail the winter as well as Ameraucanas , Brahmas and Chanticlers .
Having lived in the northern United States all my adult life history , I of course opt Orpingtons with their gorgeous but cold - susceptible single comb as the main breed we raise on our farm . We ’ve fortunately had very little incidence of frostbite over the long time , thanks to two things : sturdy , rough drawing - free coops and , for my Orp boys , little knit chapeau to protect their combs from the frigidity . Friends who keep microflocks have always chuckle at my chicken hats , but I find them to be more in effect — and hygienic — than slather combs with petroleum jelly . Both make barrier against the cold , but applying a coat of petroleum jelly might be more a nostrum than a preventive measure .
Ana Hotaling
“ Applying petroleum gelatin might delay the growing [ of frostbite ] , but I would n’t imagine that it would be very protective , ” note Fulton . Ana Hotaling
Treating Frostbite
Davey , however , was beyond fall apart a hat or being slather with rock oil gelatin . The pointedness of his combing were gray - black with ironic gangrene , although the groundwork of his comb was sound and flushed . While I itch to cut off the affected areas , I recognize that it was dear to let nature take its course .
“ If left alone , the dead body structure will fall off and the remaining skin will heal over , ” explains Fulton . “ In this illustration , the body is really good at heal itself . Nothing needs to be done . ”
In rare example , frostbite can be so severe that the afflict fowl needs medical aid .
“ If the amount of tissue expiry is increasing and moving toward the healthy tissue , amputation of the affected web site is crucial , ” stresses Fulton .
If your chicken is suffering from frostbite , carefully try out every inch of the seedy bird to determine the extent of the frostbite . The impaired area should have very small to no feeling and can change in color from slating gray and purple to grim spicy and sinister . If you could not specify the level of your fowl ’s frostbite , contact your veterinarian or your county extension for aid . verify you examine all of your birds , especially those sharing the coop with the cold - injured chicken , as they experienced the same chill and draught that caused the frostbite .
“ Bottom line : Keep your coops lovesome , and [ frostbite ] wo n’t find , ” states Fulton . “ On very inhuman days , do n’t tolerate your bird to leave the coop . At this time of year , the attraction of sunlight and being outside is tempting , but your shuttle do not understand the result . ”
Davey was a model patient , standing cooperatively on our exam table while I discipline his body for advanced cryopathy . He set aside me to apply veterinary sealant to his dry - mortified cockscomb and even allowed me to plunk a hat on him . He did n’t seem too happy to be put back inside a shut coop , because it was such a sunny morning , but better to keep him in there until fountain ’s warmth is here to stay .
