Poultry 101 Tips to Avoid Frosbite

By Alexandra Doss

Cold weather brings unique challenges for poultry keepers, particularly when temperatures dip below freezing. While many breeds of chickens, ducks and turkeys are surprisingly hardy, they remain vulnerable to one of winter’ s most common— and painful— conditions: frostbite.

Understanding the biological mechanisms behind frostbite, how to prevent it and how to treat it effectively can make the difference between a healthy winter flock and permanent injury or production loss.

Understanding Frostbite in Poultry

Frostbite occurs when skin and underlying tissues freeze due to prolonged exposure to subfreezing temperatures. In chickens, ducks and other domestic birds, combs, wattles and toes are the most commonly affected areas because they lack heavy feather coverage and have higher blood flow for thermoregulation.

When exposed to extreme cold or wind chill, blood vessels constrict in these areas in an attempt to preserve core body heat. This vasoconstriction reduces oxygen and nutrient flow, allowing ice crystals to form within cells. The damage occurs at both the cellular and vascular level, leading to inflammation, tissue death and in severe cases, necrosis.

Birds with large combs— such as Leghorns, Andalusians and Minorcas— are at greater risk than breeds with pea or rose combs. Similarly, roosters are more prone to frostbite due to their larger wattles and more exposed facial features.

Contributing Factors

While temperature is the main driver, frostbite

typically results from a combination of cold, moisture and airflow.

• Moisture: Humidity and condensation play a significant role. Damp bedding, poor ventilation and birds breathing in an enclosed space create moisture that settles on combs and toes. Even temperatures just below freezing can cause frostbite when skin is wet.

• Poor Ventilation: Ironically, many flock owners mistakenly“ seal up” coops in winter to retain warmth. Without proper airflow, humidity builds, raising the dew point and increasing condensation. Instead of staying warm, the coop becomes a humid freezer.

• Wind Chill: Cold air movement strips away the thin layer of warmth around the bird’ s body. Roosts near open windows or drafty vents expose birds’ extremities directly to frigid air, increasing frostbite risk.

• Genetics and Health: Birds with compromised circulation, dehydration or nutritional deficiencies— particularly vitamin E, selenium and zinc— may have poorer tissue resilience. Roosters with overdeveloped wattles and birds with comb injuries also face higher susceptibility.

Prevention Strategies

Preventing frostbite requires a holistic approach that balances insulation, airflow, nutrition and management.

Optimize Coop Ventilation

Aim for draft-free but well-ventilated housing. Air should circulate above the birds’ heads to remove humidity without chilling them. Ridge vents, soffit vents

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