Aquaphor instead of vaseline

[chickencheeper]

my buff Orpington Honey has been having a little bit of frostbite on her comb and I thought had subsided until this morning when I saw that she had tons of it on her comb. Would aquaphor work instead of vaseline to treat her?

 

[azygous]

It would probably be better as a wound care than Vaseline. However, severe frostbite wounds are better left untouched as rubbing can make the wounds worse, and it also causes a lot of pain as you rub anything into the wounds.

Last winter my rooster had severe frostbite on his comb, and when I tried to put some Bag Balm on it, he wasn't the least bit happy about it.

The most important thing to do for frostbite is to make sure it doesn't freeze again before it heals as that will really make things awful.

Lubricants do not prevent freezing of tissue if it gets cold enough. All it does is to put up a barrier between the tissue and any moisture that might form on the comb.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I was told that the treatment only works as a preventative and that handling the comb after frostbite has set in could be painful.
According to the ingredient list, it looks ok as it is mainly petrolatum and the other ingredients don't sound harmful. Is it a lotion? It could freeze though since it is not pure petroleum jelly.

 

[chickencheeper]

I ended up putting vaseline on her comb instead, she did not seem to mind

 

[BethyLeigh]

My BOs are also getting frostbite this year. I increased the ventilation in the coop and it does not seem to be progressing even as the temps are getting worse but I found the Bag Balm left them with very 'dirty' heads. I just applied it to the combs but it seems to spread to their head feathers where it picks up dirt and dust...

 

[azygous]

I agree, Bag Balm leaves a greasy residue on the head feathers. However, chickens have a nifty method of cleaning their feathers. It's called dirt bathing. Eventually, those greasy heads will get clean again as long as you provide access to dirt bathing material.

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

My BOs are also getting frostbite this year. I increased the ventilation in the coop and it does not seem to be progressing even as the temps are getting worse but I found the Bag Balm left them with very 'dirty' heads. I just applied it to the combs but it seems to spread to their head feathers where it picks up dirt and dust...View attachment 1230593 View attachment 1230592

That's what happened to mine. Not sure how it will all get cleaned off?

 

[Soon2BChixMom]

I agree, Bag Balm leaves a greasy residue on the head feathers. However, chickens have a nifty method of cleaning their feathers. It's called dirt bathing. Eventually, those greasy heads will get clean again as long as you provide access to dirt bathing material.

So, they will just have dirty heads until it basically works its way off of the feathers?

 

[Ruralhideaway]

Its occurred to me that applying these greasy barriers would be super easy and even pain free for those already affected by melting it, cooling slightly, which it would walking to the coop, then painting on wth a small soft brush. If it's good and cold I think it would solidify pretty fast.

 

[BethyLeigh]

That's what happened to mine. Not sure how it will all get cleaned off?

I guess they will slowly clean it off with their baths. I love your photo! BOs are my favorite in the flock but their comb is definitely not ideal for winter.