[hillbilly]

I vaselined all their combs fairly regularly (every couple of days) through the cold weather but noticed that Lily's was rather grusomely coloured last night.

Any help on what I should do? If I do nothing what do you think will happen?
I'm inclined to bathe with antiseptic every day and see what happens but should I do more? Vet?

I'm filled with visions of stories of exploreres with amputated limbs and digits Aaagh

[Aunt Sally]

That does look like frostbite - painful 

There is no treatment I'm afraid.

[hillbilly]

Yikes, Aunt Sally  . Is there nothing at all I can do?? She doesn't seem in pain and is still laying, eating, chatting etc. but I'd hate her to lose her little tips  . Do you think they'll fall off?

[Aunt Sally]

I have no experience of frostbite but I'd guess they will fall off.

[Kate and her Ducks]

I agree the little blackish tips will eventually drop off. While they are clean and dry as they appear in the pic I would do nothing at all and let nature take it's course.

[joyfull]

found this web site that says that frostbite on their combs can be treated with antibiotic cream - I guess this will help prevent any nasties getting in when the black bits drop off

http://www.care2.com/c2c/groups/disc.html?gpp=7128&pst=987127

Perhaps a quick call to your vets may help put your mind at ease .

[hillbilly]

Thanks for the link, Joyful. Anti-biotic cream it is and fingers crossed. Thanks all  .

[karlooben]

oh no me thinks one of my light sussex has that as well 

[Sarah Mitchell]

... as does Steve my cream legbar cockerel who will I think only have 4 sticky up bits on his comb very soon, rather than the original 7... 1 lost in a scrap with a Marans many moon ago, and 2 on their way out due to frostbite.  It must have been those -10 temperatures we had the other week