What to do if your chicken has frostbite on it's comb, wattles, ear lobes or feet. Frostbite treatments for chickens. If you know your chicken has signs and symptoms of frostbite this is what you need to do. See our step by step instructions on this page. Chickens who get frostbite can be treated and if caught early enough can make a full recovery. In some cases where the damage is more severe, the affected body parts (usually comb, wattles, and feet) could fall off or need to be removed. If you know your chicken has signs and symptoms of frostbite this is what you need to do. See our step by step instructions on this page. Chickens who get frostbite can be treated and if caught early enough can make a full recovery. In some cases where the damage is more severe, the affected body parts (usually comb, wattles, and feet) could fall off or need to be removed.
Step by Step Instructions on What to Do if Your Chicken Has Frostbite.
Healing frostbite on your chicken can take from 3 to 6 weeks depending on the severity of the frostbite.
If you have not taken steps to protect your chicken from frostbite and you know your bird has it, these are the steps you need to take:
1. Get your bird to a warm place
2. Do not try to warm the affected areas quickly
3. Do not rub the affected area
4. Do not trim the affected area off
5. Soak frost bitten feet in warm water to warm them slowly
6. Use warmed damp cloths to slowly warm combs and wattles
7. Keep them in a warm place (Do not return them to a cold coop or let them go outdoors as this can worsen the condition)
8. Put the affected birds in a cage so other birds can not peck at the affected areas
9. Check the affected birds daily
Wait a few days and then gently apply a topical ointment like neosporin (be very careful not to apply pressure as the affected parts could fall off). You should see steady improvement in the affected areas. If they are black or almost black they will most likely fall off on their own but in extreme cases may need to be removed (1).
If you have not taken steps to protect your chicken from frostbite and you know your bird has it, these are the steps you need to take:
1. Get your bird to a warm place
2. Do not try to warm the affected areas quickly
3. Do not rub the affected area
4. Do not trim the affected area off
5. Soak frost bitten feet in warm water to warm them slowly
6. Use warmed damp cloths to slowly warm combs and wattles
7. Keep them in a warm place (Do not return them to a cold coop or let them go outdoors as this can worsen the condition)
8. Put the affected birds in a cage so other birds can not peck at the affected areas
9. Check the affected birds daily
Wait a few days and then gently apply a topical ointment like neosporin (be very careful not to apply pressure as the affected parts could fall off). You should see steady improvement in the affected areas. If they are black or almost black they will most likely fall off on their own but in extreme cases may need to be removed (1).
References: 1. Frostbite in chickens. http://articles.extension.org/pages/70255/frostbite-in-chickens
