davidinthewilderness
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As colder weather approaches, poultry owners must be cognizant of their bird’s health and safety. When temperatures are cold enough to freeze moisture in the air, frostbite can occur on the comb, wattles and toes. Because of this, frostbite is more likely to occur in damp houses versus dry houses. A bird with a significant amount of feathers is comfortable in 50oF if it is sunny and dry. However, the same bird will not be comfortable if it is 68oF and windy and rainy. Chickens do have the ability to control their body temperature by transferring heat between themselves and their environment. However, there are steps owners can take to keep their birds comfortable during the cold winter months. Poultry owners can reduce frost bite by following the steps below.
1. Reduce humidity by improving ventilation and removing damp litter especially near waterers and doorways.
2. Rake litter regularly.
Loose litter is dryer and a better insulator than compact litter.
3. Fill cracks and holes in walls to eliminate drafts.
4. Put perches in the least drafty area of the poultry house.
5. Make sure that perches are wide enough to allow birds to cover their feet with their feathers at night.
6. If the ceiling is not within 2 feet of the perches, put a heat lamp in the coop.
Ensure that the lamp is set to turn on when it drops below 32oF.
For safety reason, put a metal guard over the heat lamp.
In smaller coops, a few strategically placed light bulbs should provide enough heat for the birds.
7. In the morning and at night, birds should be fed a small amount of scratch to stimulate body heat.
8. Putting petroleum jelly on combs and wattles can protect the birds against frostbite.
Certain breeds of birds are cold weather tolerant, whereas other are intolerant. Because of this, owners should choose birds that can easily adapt to their surrounding environment.
Cold weather intolerant breeds:
Lightly feathered - Hamburg, Naked Neck, Buttercup, Leghorn, Minorca...
Sparsely feathered - Shamo...
Short, close feathers - Cornish, Modern Game…
Crested birds (if their head feathers get wet) - Polish, Houdan, Crevecoeur…
Single - comb breeds
Large - comb breeds
Note: During the winter, roosters suffer more than hens because of their combs.
Examples of cold weather tolerant breeds:
Ameraucana
Araucana
Cochin
Jersey Giant
Langshan
Oprington
Frozen Combs & Wattles:
1. Look pale
2. If still frozen, apply a damp, warm cloth to the frozen part for approximately 15 minutes or until it thaws
3. Apply antiseptic to the injured area
4. Isolate the bird in order to prevent further injury
Thawed Frostbitten Combs & Wattles:
1. Red, hot, swollen and painful
2. Bird does not want to eat or move
3. Put antiseptic on the comb or wattle, and isolate the bird, to prevent further injury
4. The frostbitten area may itch, peel, scab and fall off
5. If the area turns black, seek veterinary advice because the affected area may need to be removed.
From the trenches or mountains,
Kelly
1. Reduce humidity by improving ventilation and removing damp litter especially near waterers and doorways.
2. Rake litter regularly.
Loose litter is dryer and a better insulator than compact litter.
3. Fill cracks and holes in walls to eliminate drafts.
4. Put perches in the least drafty area of the poultry house.
5. Make sure that perches are wide enough to allow birds to cover their feet with their feathers at night.
6. If the ceiling is not within 2 feet of the perches, put a heat lamp in the coop.
Ensure that the lamp is set to turn on when it drops below 32oF.
For safety reason, put a metal guard over the heat lamp.
In smaller coops, a few strategically placed light bulbs should provide enough heat for the birds.
7. In the morning and at night, birds should be fed a small amount of scratch to stimulate body heat.
8. Putting petroleum jelly on combs and wattles can protect the birds against frostbite.
Certain breeds of birds are cold weather tolerant, whereas other are intolerant. Because of this, owners should choose birds that can easily adapt to their surrounding environment.
Cold weather intolerant breeds:
Lightly feathered - Hamburg, Naked Neck, Buttercup, Leghorn, Minorca...
Sparsely feathered - Shamo...
Short, close feathers - Cornish, Modern Game…
Crested birds (if their head feathers get wet) - Polish, Houdan, Crevecoeur…
Single - comb breeds
Large - comb breeds
Note: During the winter, roosters suffer more than hens because of their combs.
Examples of cold weather tolerant breeds:
Ameraucana
Araucana
Cochin
Jersey Giant
Langshan
Oprington
Frostbitten Combs & Wattles
Frozen Combs & Wattles:
1. Look pale
2. If still frozen, apply a damp, warm cloth to the frozen part for approximately 15 minutes or until it thaws
3. Apply antiseptic to the injured area
4. Isolate the bird in order to prevent further injury
Thawed Frostbitten Combs & Wattles:
1. Red, hot, swollen and painful
2. Bird does not want to eat or move
3. Put antiseptic on the comb or wattle, and isolate the bird, to prevent further injury
4. The frostbitten area may itch, peel, scab and fall off
5. If the area turns black, seek veterinary advice because the affected area may need to be removed.
From the trenches or mountains,
Kelly
