Preventing Frostbite

With the cold weather officially here, the danger of frostbite rears its ugly head

Frost bite occurs when moisture in the air freezes This moisture tends to settle on the faces and combs of our chickens As the chickens are sleeping, their breath is released, creating moisture in the air Chickens with larger combs are more likely to get frostbite for the single reason that they have more unprotected surface area on their faces Parts of the body covered in feathers are protected from the settling moisture The freezing particles of water burn the skin and actually cause tissue damage

Preventing Frostbite in Poultry

Chicken in the snowy backyards

Frostbite in poultry is a real concern during the winter Chickens, like people, are susceptible to frostbite When the temperatures plummet and the windchills pick up, we need to consider the chickens Making a few small changes can help them stay warmer during frigid weather

 

What is frostbite in chickens?

 

Chickens are susceptible to frostbite primarily on the combs and wattles, and sometimes on their feet You will notice frostbite in your chickens if their combs and wattles suddenly turn off color, and eventually become