Fostbite Prevention

[trishok8]

What is it that you put on the combs and wattles?
Vaseline? I read it once here, but can't remember.

Thanks all.

 

[HennysMom]

I read Vaseline or A&D...

its awfully cold here in VA today and last night it was 22! BRR!

 

[mikarod]

When it's cold, I will put baby oil and a coating of Vaseline on the combs. If it is RIDICULOUSLY cold...I put IcyHot and Vaseline on the comb. The trick is to increase blood flow to the comb to prevent it from freezing. Along with the increased bloodflow, the comb regains moisture. Once the moisture is gone...the comb has an increased chance of freezing off because there is little or no heat being exuded from the extremities.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Dub them.

It's a one-time only application and you never have to worry about frost-bite again, nor do you have to mess with the daily slathering of petroleum jelly products.

edited for wordage.

 

[mikarod]

True...but if you'd prefer for the birds to have a nice thermo-regulation system...you might want to keep that comb on there...

Especially if these birds are show birds. You can't dub birds unless it is in their breed standard if you intend to show them at APA sanctioned shows.

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

You can use vasaline or thick cream like eucerine.

 

[RickiHupp]

What does "dub" mean?

 

[SundownWaterfowl]

Quote:
Dub means to cut the comb off.

 

[lovemychix]

I've heard that helps!! Any sauve to protect the area. Reminds me of growing up and my mom and her can of sauve that she put on everything.

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
More info on Dubbing can be found Here.

Of course, if you do show your fowl and dubbing is not required by the breed standard (as it is with Old English and American Gamefowl), then you're probably going to have to give them special attention to keep frost-bite from occuring.

Also, provide your chickens with wide roosts so that they don't lose any toes.