Comb frostbite prevention?

[jannakaye]

One of my younger hens, Rowan, has a fairly large, floppy comb and I'm worried she's going to get frostbite! The ladies have heat lamps and hay in their coop, is their anything else I can do to help keep them warm? I'm such a worrier! I'm ready to bring the whole flock inside!

 

[Eggcessive]

How cold does it actually get in Mississippi? I live and southern Ohio, and only saw frostbite last year for the first time. Moisture and humidity in the coop are the causes of frostbite. Frostbite usually doesn't occur unless you see subzero temperature. Now if a chicken steps into water or gets part of their wattles in water while it is freezing, it can happen easily. Also sleeping on metal will cause it. If you can close off drafts in your coop while still providing overhead ventilation to allow moisture to escape, that can help. Applying vaseline to combs really does nothing to prevent it. Heat lamps should not be necessary until you are below zero, and can cause more problems with a power outtage, or a coop fire. Some people have reported burned combs and feathers by chickens falling asleep too close to a too low heat lamp. Here is an excellent link to read:
http://www.the-chicken-chick.com/2013/12/frostbit-in-backyard-chickens-causes.html
http://www.tillysnest.com/2013/01/frostbite-and-backyard-chickens.html

 

[jannakaye]

It can get in the upper teens here, but usually it only gets down to about 28 or so. Thanks so much!

 

[seminolewind]

For teens for short periods of time, I would not worry. Otherwise, people have used Vaseline , not great results. I wonder if you can use some gauze and tape it in a way to keep it there. Having the tape stick to feathers would hold it.