Let me start this by saying that I was gifted with 4 beautiful, sweet, pullets from my good friend Redhen. After last weeks arctic weather they came to me with a few little spots of frostbite. I've been using triple antibiotic ointment on them to try and keep any infection at bay.
Now...how do we protect them from getting it again...or having it get worse? I've heard in several places of people using vaseline on their combs and wattles as a protective coating....but I have a big concern with this.
In my past life (pre-stay at home, momhood
) I was a licensed Aesthetician. The part of my job I most enjoyed was the science's....
When I was part of the skin-care world, any products with petrolatum (which petroleum jelly is derived from) were big no-no's. While some people think it's hydrophobic (repels water) it's not...it just doesn't blend or mix with water. In reality, it's hydrophilic...meaning it draws moisture to it. Which is why any lip balms etc with petrolatum in it can be bad...if there's not enough moisture in the air, it will actually draw moisture out of your skin.
I'm sorry if this went to far into science-geek-land...my concern is this. Vaseline/petroleum jelly/petrolatum products are hydrophilic...draw moisture. Wouldn't this same moisture actually raise the risks of frostbite? Bee's wax can do the same..but not as severely. Coconut oil might be good...but they might be drawn to smell/taste and end up pecking each other. Has anyone used anything other than petroleum products?
Sorry for the long post...I'd love to hear some ideas here!
***edited for spelling...ooops!***
Now...how do we protect them from getting it again...or having it get worse? I've heard in several places of people using vaseline on their combs and wattles as a protective coating....but I have a big concern with this.
In my past life (pre-stay at home, momhood
When I was part of the skin-care world, any products with petrolatum (which petroleum jelly is derived from) were big no-no's. While some people think it's hydrophobic (repels water) it's not...it just doesn't blend or mix with water. In reality, it's hydrophilic...meaning it draws moisture to it. Which is why any lip balms etc with petrolatum in it can be bad...if there's not enough moisture in the air, it will actually draw moisture out of your skin.
I'm sorry if this went to far into science-geek-land...my concern is this. Vaseline/petroleum jelly/petrolatum products are hydrophilic...draw moisture. Wouldn't this same moisture actually raise the risks of frostbite? Bee's wax can do the same..but not as severely. Coconut oil might be good...but they might be drawn to smell/taste and end up pecking each other. Has anyone used anything other than petroleum products?
Sorry for the long post...I'd love to hear some ideas here!
***edited for spelling...ooops!***
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