Does smearing vaseline on combs really work?

Yes, it really works, though chickens with smaller comb surface to expose will have less to potentially frostbite. It's not just the cold, it's the water getting on their combs, wattles, ear coverings.
My grandmother used to rub my hands with vaseline to keep them from being chapped and from water getting on them in the winter.

 

learn something new everyday in my case I learned several something news today on this very site!! I wonder if putting Vaseline on the outside of winter work boots would repel water??

 

Mink oil spray would work good on your boots and maybe not be so slippery!

 

I dunno what the spray I got for my husband is....all i know is that he is complaining his boots are soaked and they are brand spanking new, maybe I got him the wrong spray ahahahaha. poor guy!!

 

I didn't notice a huge difference in the combs, but it helped to keep water off the wattles when the rooster and hens went to drink and the wattles dipped in the water. I wasn't as diligent as I should have been applying vaseline to combs, but the hens did seem to enjoy getting a massage with warm vaseline on a cold day. Rooster just doesn't like being held!

 

I've used vaseline, and also Bag Balm on the combs and it does work. As for the boots, the best thing we have ever used was pure bear fat. If you are, or know, a bear hunter be sure and save the fat. It's also wonderful for biscuits and pies.

 

I can't remember where I read this, but there were two scientific method studies done. One found Vaseline helped deter frostbite, one found that it didn't.

The article suggested the difference might have been the method of application for the Vaseline. If you really massage the comb as you apply the Vaseline, this increases blood flow to the comb, which of course helps to keep it warm and thus deter frostbite. Makes sense to me.

 

I have used vaseline on combs and wattles every winter and have not had a problem with frostbite and mine are outside in a covered run during the day. I massage it into the combs and wattles after dark when they are settled for the night, no struggling as they are sleepy.

 

Vaseline on combs also helps deter pecking from other birds. This can be helpful when a new pecking order is being established.