When the temperature drops and we have a hard frost, cockerels with large combs can get frost bite to their combs. The result is parts of the comb and / or wattles that turn black and eventually die off and can occasionally cause infertility during the breeding season the next spring. The problem normally occurs with birds that have large combs like leghorns for example. 'Rose Comb' birds are not effected and hens don't have this problem since they sleep with their head tucked under their wing during cold weather.

When the humidity of the air in the house is high and the temperature drops below freezing outside is when your cockerels comb is most at risk. If your chickens live in a well insulated house or one with poor ventilation, then this tends to be when they are at a greater risk.

How does a cockerel get a Frozen Comb?

If you wear glasses, you will be well aware of how they steam up when entering a house after being outside in the cold. This is the same thing that happens to your cockerel's comb - he goes inside, his house in the morning when the house has been kept warm and humid by all of those sleeping chickens and droppings. He gets moisture on his comb from the warm humid air, then goes back out into the cold where it is frozen.

What can be done to prevent a Frozen Comb?

The chicken house should be kept well ventilated (but not draughty) even during cold weather. Chickens can take the cold (assuming they are in good health and fully feathered). Vaseline can be rubbed on his comb in the mornings or if he isn't too easily caught, when he is roosting at night.

If you do have a cockerel with a frozen comb and can send us a picture for this article, we'd really appreciate it! Thank you.