Another Frostbite question and cold temps.

[horsechick]

Hi,
We should put pet. jelly on them?
If some already look like they might have some on tips, still put it on?
It won't help but will stop anymore?
We have a lot of pens so it is not possible to put them all together, they would fight for top roo and it would probably be a mess.
I can move some little pens, (some we have only one hen/roo together) into the garage instead of the barn but the garage is not heated either.
But at least more closed up. Should help right?
Here in ohio we are expecting VREY cold temps. I think its 14 now, not inclluding windchill.
Any and all helpful winter suggestions are greatly appreciated!!!!!!
Is there a feed or treat they might like better to help them stay warm?
THANK YOU!
Angela

p.s. just got the Backyard Poultry magazine from tsc, it has article on dubbing, should I wait to try this? I would rather not dub, (looks pretty painful, don't know if I could manhandle and do that to them

)
Thanks

 

[Hangin Wit My Peeps]

I think almost everyone here is against the dubbing unless its an emergency kind of thing. I would give them a while to recover and see how it goes.
Some say Pet jelly works and some say it doesn't. I never tried it yet so I'm not sure. Do you have heat lamps you can stick in there with them?

 

[horsechick]

Hi,
Not really, we have one on the chicks in the garage. I think we'll try moving some small pens to garage and at least help since the barn is 105 yrs old, lol, its not as solid as a new barn.
I maybe able to put one or two more heat lights in there over a couple cages if I set next to each other.
Every year I forget how much I HATE winter!!
Thanks,
Angela

 

[Birch Run Farm]

Well, I have my big comb roosters in my unheated basement in crates until Sunday. They seem to be enjoying the experience. We are going to be -25 to -30 tonight.

I don't want to goop them up with vasoline and have it get in feathers which may cause more trouble with heat retention. A few days in the basement won't be a big deal.

Kind of fun having them in.

 

[LynneP]

A number of us are posting suggestions under 'Managing Your Flock'- look for the thread by patandchickens. I'm sure you'll find many ideas there to help.

 

[katrinag]

I have been using A&D diaper cream.

 

[MakNat]

They say feeding much more straight corn in the cold helps raise their body temp. Mine are spoiled, due to the unemployment rate I'm home all day. I give them warm water with veg oil and garlic in it throughout the day and cook oatmeal with ACV to give them at least once a day. They are doing great. I also use the vasoline. It hasn't hurt and I haven't noticed any frost bite!

 

[Cuban Longtails]

If you do decide to dub, you can wrap the chicken in a towel to hold him still.

Plenty of folks will argue with this statement, but the procedure is not a horrible ordeal and is a lot less painful than suffering through frostbite and infections.

 

[I'M On Island Time]

I don't want to dub because I don't want to screw it up...

It was -37F last night. I do have heat lamps going, but my roo has had frostbite and black spots on his comb for about 3 weeks. I've been keeping an eye on it daily, and it doesn't seem to be getting worse. One point fell off, with clean skin underneath and he seems OK.

I've not put anything on because some say vaseline makes the comb colder. My dad, who grew up on a farm with chickens back in the 50s said the roos just got over it, and they had chickens with frostbitten toes that healed up in the spring. They would limp around in the barn in the winter, but recover in the spring. So, I am going to see what happens. If I see it getting worse, I'll probably dub it, but he seems happy and healthy right now.

I had frostbite on my fingers before and it even turned black, but then it healed up (I was too afraid to show anyone and they would make me go to the hospital when i was around 12). I am hoping the same thing will happen to him!

 

[Guinea Goonie]

Roos have been getting frost bite for thousands of years.
The smart ones put thier heads under thier wings and roost
on ONE leg at a time. Balance i think.

The point will fall off and heal most of the time.

What you really need to worry about is the chickens feet.
At night they roost with thier bodies over thier feet and thier
head turned around on top of thier backs. This conserves heat.

They do this even in free range and look like a little rock.

My roos are finding the "silkie pile". It is growing bigger and bigger every night. The frizzles are right in the middle and the babies seem always welcome under some hens wing. It is pretty cute.

I have put straw down in the pen and they really like it.

anywho, if you can warn em up that is a very nice gesture.