Frostbite thoughts

[Eggscoozme]

I have been driving myself nuts researching frostbite..i am a first time chicken owner and am doing my very best to get my 3 girls through this horrid winter. I have a nice big covered pen that I put vinyl panels up to protect them from the horrific winds we are having. Unfortunately I have a small short coop with an A frame roof so there isnt a lot of space for cutting any more ventilation spaces than i already have. I would have to go lower and the wind would be hitting the girls in the head. All three have tips of their large combs frostbitten. In extreme temps is it not likely that no matter what you put on them, bag balm,vaseline etc they will be affected to some degree?? I put vaseline on my cheeks and nose and went outside today to test it. My cheeks are beet red and hurt. I read this article and although it is in relation to humans I think it would apply to anything with exposed skin.."Spreading petroleum jelly or other emollients onto the skin does not lower the risk of frostbite;[111,175] indeed the use of these products may increase the relative risk of frostbite on the head." Any thoughts? Comments? I am sick to death that they are suffering even if it's minor frostbite but am at a loss of what to do.

At the risk of sounding insensitive, your chickens will get through the frostbite. I live in Michigan, and we have not lost 1 chicken to frostbite. Yes, the tips can become discolored; however, it has not affected their eating/drinking/laying. We do have areas where they can get out of the wind, though. For future reference, the Chantecler may be a chicken you want to raise. I do have one nearly mature hen now (with more on the way), and they have a "cushion or button" comb. Mine has barely THAT much. They are EXTREMELY cold tolerant and were actually developed in Canada. Hang in there, Spring WILL come! BTW, where ARE you located? Oh, my first hen laid on a day that it was -30 with wind chill!! Her comb was a bit discolored on tips.