Frostbite

It is bitter cold here in the northwest corner of Jersey. And I mean damn bitter cold. This is the daytime temperature during Saturday. Friday night was way, way below zero.

I had filled the coop with fresh hay and shavings and all but two of the nest boxes. No drafts could get in.

 When I went to let them out Saturday morning, Charlie did not come out of the coop at first.
When the girls were eating, he stopped by the door and just looked out. I was devastated by what I saw. The ends of his long wattles had turned black from frostbite!

 Also, one toe doesn't look too good. The girls are fine, they must have nestled down in the hay during the night. Charlie slept up on the roosting bar as usual.

I needed to check him over - but he just would not let me pick him up. I tried throwing a towel over him, but he was getting more and more upset, so I stopped. I wanted to put some 'Bag Balm" on his toe and also get a closer look at the damaged wattles. There isn't much I can do for him now. I've raised the waterer off the ground about a foot so that he can drink without getting his wattles wet. I've added electrolytes to the water and have been giving him extra meat protein. If we're lucky they won't attract the attention of the hens as they would peck at them. He is eating and pooping well, but shows no interest whatsoever in the hens. If he survives, the damaged part of the wattles will fall off.

Hubby installed a lamp with a 60 watt bulb in the coop today to keep it warmer in there. I feel so bad that I didn't ask him to do it sooner.  I am so afraid of a fire starting in such a small, hay filled place.

I've hurt Charlie. I am NOT a very good chickenmom.