Frostbite in cold, humid environment

[589205]

I use Musher's Secret wax on my chooks. It has worked pretty well for me so far. My rooster still gets minor frostbite on his wattles sometimes but that's just he gets them wet in the drinker. I gotta get him one of those fancy heated nipple drinkers one of these days...

 

[aart]

I use Musher's Secret wax on my chooks. It has worked pretty well for me so far. My rooster still gets minor frostbite on his wattles sometimes but that's just he gets them wet in the drinker. I gotta get him one of those fancy heated nipple drinkers one of these days...

How long have you used this?
How often do you apply it....to both comb and wattles??
Curious how soft and easy to apply it is?

Horizontal nipples can still drip a bit when they drink, but better than a dunk in an open waterer. Mine get their wattles bit when they nosh on the snow banks. SMH.

 

[589205]

How long have you used this?
How often do you apply it....to both comb and wattles??
Curious how soft and easy to apply it is?

Horizontal nipples can still drip a bit when they drink, but better than a dunk in an open waterer. Mine get their wattles bit when they nosh on the snow banks. SMH.

I've been using Musher's Secret for about 4 years now. The directions say to apply it 2-3 times a week but I think it works best when it's applied as often as needed. You can usually tell when it's time to put more on when the skin starts looking/feeling kinda dry again. I use it on bare combs, wattles, earlobes, legs, feet & paws
It's a pretty dense wax so its consistancy is quite a bit thicker & heavier than petroleum jellies but it's still fairly easy to apply.

 

[589205]

How long have you used this?
How often do you apply it....to both comb and wattles??
Curious how soft and easy to apply it is?

Horizontal nipples can still drip a bit when they drink, but better than a dunk in an open waterer. Mine get their wattles bit when they nosh on the snow banks. SMH.

I need to get one of those drinkers, for sure. Mine look at the snow & then look back at me like "F that"

 

[Mrs. K]

I do think the point Alaskan makes about the feet is important. Although years ago I was given a hen, that was missing parts of her toes, and it never seemed to bother her.

 

[589205]

I do think the point Alaskan makes about the feet is important. Although years ago I was given a hen, that was missing parts of her toes, and it never seemed to bother her.

I agree, feet & toes are very important to protect because blood circulation is slower to reach those areas, which makes it easier for frostbite to occur.

 

[aart]

Frostbit feet is a whole other ball game from frostbit combs and wattles.

 

[NatJ]

Any advice on preventing frostbite in temperatures between 12 and 32 degrees Fahrenheit with an outside humidity of 84 -100%.

The humidity in the coop is actually much less than outside.

Everybody says to be sure you have good ventilation, which is normally a good way to get rid of moisture inside. In your situation, with so much moisture outside, I'm not sure at what point extra ventilation would make things worse instead of better.

It looks like you're measuring the humidity, so if you make any changes, at least you'll be able to tell whether things get better or worse.

 

[aart]

In your situation, with so much moisture outside, I'm not sure at what point extra ventilation would make things worse instead of better.

It's the same here.....but still want that ammonia out.