Frostbitten Comb- Vaseline Didn't Work

[TheCrazyClucker]

Will the parts of the comb that fell off grow back??

 

[animallover505]

Will the parts of the comb that fell off grow back??

they will heal over, but the points won't grow back. It may stress her at first, but nature designed it this way so that the comb wouldn't repeatedly freeze over.

 

[swede-murphy]

Thanks for your advice, but we don't put a heat lamp in the coop because what if the power were to go out in the coop? The birds would be so used to the heat, that they'd die from the lack of it. It is a good idea though.

I have seen this idea in several places, that you don't want to heat because a) the birds can handle the cold, b) people don't want their birds to acclimate to the warmth, and c) what would happen if the electricity goes out and they are not used to the cold. Nothing personal to the OP, but this idea bothers me. It is not a question of "cold" or "not cold" because there are degrees of cold, degrees of heat, degrees (well, percentages) of humidity, and a variety of insulated, uninsulated, drafty, well ventilated and so on coop designs. Sure, my birds can handle the cold, but why should they? I live in an area where the temperature can vary between -30 and +50 in the winter, over a few days time. I set the thermostat inside the coop at 34 degrees, the water doesn't freeze, the chickens don't freeze, and they are happy. On nice days, the heater just doesn't come on. As to acclimating to the cold or they suffer during a power outage, this is just too much of a binary choice for me. If the power goes off, I go to plan B or plan C or plan D or..... It happens rarely, even on Rural Electric Coop. If it does, I deal with it (emergency generator, move them into the barn with a propane heater, move them into the house to sit in front of the fireplace with us or I loose some hens ) and don't make my chickens uncomfortable for the rest of the winter to prepare them for the off chance they will freeze! We have to be smart and design/build for our individual climates. Insulation is good for summer heat as well as winter cold, draft free is good in any climate, and supplemental heat will likely not be needed in areas that rarely freeze. Keep 'em comfortable and happy and laying eggs.

 

[swede-murphy]

Frostbite in single combed birds is one reason I switched to Buckeyes. And remember, frostbite is often more of a problem due to damp than actual temperature, although of course the lower the temp the more likely it will occur. But dampness makes it worse for some reason. Drafty, damp coops are the worst for it. When it gets really bad you could always stack bales of hay around to create insulation, and as Sumi has said, there are lots of threads on how to insulate. Hope your hen does ok.

If you are referring to damp as being "wet" then you are correct. If damp refers to high humidity, then it is not so clear. Frostbite occurs at temperatures at or below the freezing point, taking into account wind chill effects. Dry air increases the wind chill effect, humid air decreases it, all other things being equal. The bottom line is that temperatures below freezing (including wind chill) can cause freezing of tissues if the chickens cannot generate enough internal heat to counterbalance the low temperatures. Fortunately for most areas and times, they do generate enough heat to compensate! BTW I enjoy your thoughtful, experience-based posts!

 

[TheCrazyClucker]

let me get something straight- the coop is never damp, we like to use alfalfa because it works for us and is easily accessible in our area. Does that clear thing up? (sorry if I sound mean

)

 

[debid]

Daisy's comb is still cracked and bleeds a little sometimes, even after her stay inside our house. Now she is snuggling on my lap while I write this, and I can tell you this: Her comb is getting better, but it is still bad. Any more advice??

I'm wondering if lanolin might be more helpful with the cracked & bleeding tissue? I figure if it works for nursing, it ought to be safe enough.

 

[blondiebee181]

Yes the black dead tissue will fall off, and it won't grow back, but it will heal over. I am glad to hear Daisy is doing better and has had a lovely warm place to sleep. How is she enjoying her hotel stay?

 

[SD Bird Lady]

deleted

 

[Thassa]

I've been having trouble with frostbitten waddles this winter on my roosters. Its been really cold and sometimes damp. On the nights its gotten to -30F I've put a lamp on but their coop is so big they really have to get right under it to feel the warmth. Otherwise they all seem happy and the coldest days are the days I've gotten the most eggs! I know ventilation is my enemy and I'm trying to fix the problem without making it drafty.

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I'm in Swede-murphy's camp on this one. I have a large combed rooster in an uninsulated coop with some frostbite issues. He'll get through it and I feel it's superficial for the most part at this point...but I would use a heat lamp if you can string a chord over to your coop. Double secure at two different points of the lamp to the rafter so it's secure and away from fluttering wings. Or one of those floor warming pad thingies. Vaseline helps keep condensation off comb to some degree. But cold is the culprit here. Plain and Simple. Moisture aggravates and makes it happen faster, more severe. Still vaseline though to keep it from getting worse and help soothe. Poor chickens. This crazy winter. Same ordeal for me, but I'm even using a heat lamp with a moderate10-15 degree increase of temp inside a 6 x 7 coop, if that some of those frigid nights.