Hello Everyone, Merry Christmas!!! I have a Rooster (Rhode Island Red) who is swollen all around his wattles and throat area, I didn't hear him crow this morning and went out to see what was up. It is very cold here and some areas on his comb and wattles are black along the edges. I am alarmed by how swollen the area is. He is just standing in one area with his head down. I have confined him and given him food and water. I hope this won't kill him or spread to the 65 other hens we have. Any thoughts?

Thanks, Karole

-- Karole (Biz3boymom@aol.com), December 24, 2000

Answers

I forgot to mention that I am in Maryland. It has been getting down in the 20's at night with 0 degree windchill. They roost in the trees, hard as I try to get them in the coop! :( Karole

-- Karole (Biz3boymom@aol.com), December 24, 2000.

The black you describe is surely frostbite. He will probably survive, but I have no idea how he can be helped.

I've seen and photographed pheasants that are frozen in place on their tree roosts. Some critters can take the out of doors, others can't.

-- Notforprint (Not@thekeyboard.com), December 24, 2000.

Unfortunately I agree completely with NFP. If you can catch as many as possible when they go to roost and put them in the coop and keep them there you might be able to keep them alive until spring. Some might make it outside all winter, but it's rough on chickens. I have found a good month in the pen and trimming their wings gets them all acclimated to the coop and safe again. Good luck!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@excite.com), December 26, 2000.

Take away any food that is about in the evening. Then late the next afternoon go out and feed them a treat, like bread, in the hen house. They should be hungry by that time and come in to eat. Shut the door!

-- Judith (JHaral2197@aol.com), December 29, 2000.