Fostbite Prevention

[RickiHupp]

Quote:
Dub means to cut the comb off.

Oh....ummm OUCH! I like my chickens with combs I think!!

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

we just did our roosters comb and wattles last night.
DH held him while I slathered vaseline on Humphrey.
He did look a lot better this morning. Comb was nice and red. I think he knew we were doing something to help him since he didnt put up a stink at all about the event

 

[trishok8]

Dubbing!!!!!!!!!!!! OMG---I could never do it. It's like cutting off someones earlobe!!!!!

 

[henlady]

I agree.....very painful for the bird!

 

[Cuban Longtails]

Quote:
Not really, they don't even flinch when you do it. I imagine if it really hurt that they'd be hollering, squirming, and raising all types of hell.

 

[ChinaChicks1]

I'm sure i'll get alot of links supplied to me..nothin i've not read myself..believe me..but i do not buy that thermo regulate hooey..American Gamefowl have been dubbed forever and have never had any problems "thermoregulating"

 

[CUDA]

You are right ChicknGurl, it is not painful to the bird. To be honest, after being dubbed, most birds feel extra cocky, and it isn't uncommon to see them spar with other roosters after being dubbed, or start topping hens! BTW, the comb and wattles are for show, no different than the crests that some other breeds of birds have, which are more for breeding purposes than any kind of heat regulating functions. They really don't do much for heat regulation, no matter what you have heard. A dubbed bird will not have any more problems dealing with heat than a non dubbed one. You will see an article I wrote on this very subject on the upcoming backyard poultry magazine.

 

[Opa]

I use Dionne's Frost Protection Udder Balm. You can buy it at Tractor Supply

 

[Mrs MIA]

Not that frostbite isn't a threat, but I've never had to put vaseline on my birds and they've never gotten frostbite. I'm sure that it's because they have a dry, draft-free coop to go into when they need to...

I had white leghorns for two years and never any problems. Sure, I keep an eye out for it, but never needed to take any action.

We have a silver sebright that we "rescued" from a gal that was foreclosing on her property... in February. It was -25°F on the bluffs of the inlet, and she had no food, no running water, no enclosed shelter for the birds, so of course no heat... the sebright lost most of her toes to frostbite within weeks of us getting her. They were black when we brought her home. But the reason her toes were bit was because she couldn't get away from the ice and warm her feet up. If you have the right environment for them, they will be fine. The key is to keep them dry.

We also have a wind-break for the run - we nailed up the clear corrugated plastic along one side of the run to create a box-effect outside. Most of the birds will congregate there, and only venture out into the snow if they are looking for something to scratch.

 

[mikarod]

Quote:
Came from Dr. F.D. Clark as well as Dr. Hargis from my POSC classes.