Frostbite thoughts

[chonsey]

-13degf last night, Arctic blast moving out and clouds moving in, finally! Warmed up their feed (thawed it out in the house)& served them warm water to warm their inners! It hurt your sinuses just to breathe.

 

[Mrs. K]

Now is the time to be careful, it is when it warms up in the day, and everything that was frozen melts and fills the air with moisture, and then freezes tonight! Yesterday, I flipped bedding, broke up manure clumps, added dry bedding, to keep things as dry as possible.

 

[Apis mellifera]

Chantecler says "What's frostbite?"

 

[PirateGirl]

http://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/diseases-and-conditions/pathology/frostbite

This helps explain some of the factors at play with frostbite.
As moisture evaporates from the skin surface it has a cooling effect. This is why we sweat, it's our body's way of cooling itself. If I understand right, the science behind the petroleum jelly on the comb is that it blocking the moisture from escaping the surface of the skin/comb, so it's inhibiting the cooling, and keeping the skin surface warmer, thus preventing frostbite.

Frostbite is also a function of circulation. If you are physically active, your blood pumps at a higher rate, your body temperature rises, and despite cold weather, you might actually feel warm. It makes me wonder if chickens who are forced to move about during cold weather actually fare better. There are some people that lock their birds in the coop when weather is bad, there are others that let them outside no matter what where they may scratch around a bit and be more active than if they were inside (of course this depends on your setup). I suspect the more active birds are warmer.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

http://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/diseases-and-conditions/pathology/frostbite

This helps explain some of the factors at play with frostbite.
As moisture evaporates from the skin surface it has a cooling effect. This is why we sweat, it's our body's way of cooling itself. If I understand right, the science behind the petroleum jelly on the comb is that it blocking the moisture from escaping the surface of the skin/comb, so it's inhibiting the cooling, and keeping the skin surface warmer, thus preventing frostbite.

Frostbite is also a function of circulation. If you are physically active, your blood pumps at a higher rate, your body temperature rises, and despite cold weather, you might actually feel warm. It makes me wonder if chickens who are forced to move about during cold weather actually fare better. There are some people that lock their birds in the coop when weather is bad, there are others that let them outside no matter what where they may scratch around a bit and be more active than if they were inside (of course this depends on your setup). I suspect the more active birds are warmer.

Definitely get those birds moving.

 

[Chullicken]

I wonder why so many articles and websites state that birds like BO and barred rocks are cold hardy since they do have bigger combs. My five barred rocks are doing ok, one of them has frostbite on her comb so far

I have the same thoughts and issues having Red Sex Links and Icelandic chickens. The Links do ok, little frostbite every year. The Icelandic though looses more comb every year. I just think its a selling ploy to throw that in their description. Last winter was ok, this year the first month was all -10 and below for a solid month. Thought at one point I was going to have him euthanized as he just was deteriorating in those conditions. Gave him an extra week and luckily the cold front from Canada left us for normal temps. during the day. Even a few low 40's which really gave him a boost.

 

[Chullicken]

I've been researching for days how to use an active compost pile in your chicken run to maintain a decent temperature. So far, it sounds interesting as its slowly gaining popularity. Sadly, I don't want for it to be 'next winter' so I can try it out.

 

[Minichick123]

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.

Can you provide them with a heat lamp?

 

[Sylvester017]

Chantecler says "What's frostbite?" View attachment 1235662

With no comb or wattles to speak of, the Chantecler are probably the best breed for snow country. I think the Breda is a close 2nd for a no-comb tassled head, vulture hocks, and feathered feet but the Breda DO have medium wattles. Otherwise, a great breed in hot or cold weather and very good layers -- ours lay best in cooler weather. Very docile family-friendly outgoing breed that comes in Blue/Black/Splash, White, Cuckoo, Black & White Mottled and some even in rare Blue Mottled:

 

[Crooked Chicken]

http://www.encyclopedia.com/medicine/diseases-and-conditions/pathology/frostbite

This helps explain some of the factors at play with frostbite.
As moisture evaporates from the skin surface it has a cooling effect. This is why we sweat, it's our body's way of cooling itself. If I understand right, the science behind the petroleum jelly on the comb is that it blocking the moisture from escaping the surface of the skin/comb, so it's inhibiting the cooling, and keeping the skin surface warmer, thus preventing frostbite.

Frostbite is also a function of circulation. If you are physically active, your blood pumps at a higher rate, your body temperature rises, and despite cold weather, you might actually feel warm. It makes me wonder if chickens who are forced to move about during cold weather actually fare better. There are some people that lock their birds in the coop when weather is bad, there are others that let them outside no matter what where they may scratch around a bit and be more active than if they were inside (of course this depends on your setup). I suspect the more active birds are warmer.

That is my thinking too -- give the birds something to do. Increase activity to help them keep themselves warm. During this cold weather I've got a lot of straw and wood chips in the coop. While I am not doing the "deep litter" for composting, it is deep. I go through everyday and collect as much poop as I can as I don't want them to have their feet caked in poop, and for me I think it's healthier than leaving it on the floor, even if it is buried. And it doesn't stink. I heap the bedding material up and then they go to work spreading it around and picking through it. It keeps them busy and active.