Frostbitten combs-what can I do?

[Smitty's Farm]

I think it's mainly the roosters you have to worry about that have more pronounced combs and wattles. I have a great chicken book that list characteristic of chickens when trying to pick the right breed for yourself. One sect is about breeds that are prone to frostbitten combs. Here's what is listed:

Andalusian, Campine, Dorking, Leghorn, NH Red, NH white, Rhode Island Red (Roosters are more likely than hens to suffer frostbite; their combs are larger and they don't tuck their heads under their wings while sleeping as hens do.)

I hope this helps.
Kim

 

[wischickenlover]

The tops of the combs will turn black when frostbitten

 

[SHELLY]

Can somebody please tell me how often they vasaline the combs?

 

[Crazy4Chicks]

I think I am going to use it - as often as needed to protect the roo - I have not noticed any of my hens having any problems yet. I took some pictures of Clyde's comb I will try and post this week sometime.



HAPPY HOLIDAYS
Julie

 

[SHELLY]

I think I could probably apply vasaline once a week, but if I had to do it more often than that

I'm not sure I could catch all of them and do that more often. Is that terrible?

 

[StPaulieGirls]

Sorry to hear that folks other than me are having frostbite problems. My Buff Orp hen's comb is frostbitten in spite of my having vaselined her and having a heat lamp right above her roost. It's got a greyish tinge to it and there are little black specks. Might be because they've got an open heated dog bowl for water and she's got enough comb to dip in it when she drinks. She and my other hen are in the basement now until this cold snap in Minnesota is past (may be 'til March, eh?). It's been -2 or -3 these last couple nights.

Chickens in the basement were not part of my plan. I feel awful though and can only figure that their winter lodgings are inadequate. They hate snow and don't even go out anymore. Poor, miserable birds.

I found a website for people-frostbite that suggests aloe vera. Works well on burns. I may try it. Meanwhile, the girls are cozy and stinky in the basement.

And, I might add, that all this winter prep for my two hens has brought my per-egg cost to about $42.60.

Stay warm, folks and birds.

- Kerri in St. Paul

 

[verthandi]

Quote:
I put it on the chickens anytime it is going to be 10 degrees or colder. About once a week if it stays cold. I have never had a problem with combs as the Polish comb is so small, but my original rooster arrived with frost bite on his wattles. So I do those on all the chickens too.

 

[NDnewbe]

I don't feel silly now... I put my Andalusian chicken in my laundry room in a 5 foot dog ring with a sheet over the top so she doesn't fly out. It got so cold here in North Dakota (-20) I really felt sorry for her. I had her in a coop in my garage but it was too cold in there. I was afraid her comb would get frostbite. Her comb seems to be drooping, is that normal? I only have the one chicken, I inherited her from my last renters who moved out quite suddenly at night and left her to fend for herself.

 

[NDnewbe]

I put my only chicken, an andalusian, in my laundry room... guess I'm not the only softee (smile)

Sorry to hear that folks other than me are having frostbite problems. My Buff Orp hen's comb is frostbitten in spite of my having vaselined her and having a heat lamp right above her roost. It's got a greyish tinge to it and there are little black specks. Might be because they've got an open heated dog bowl for water and she's got enough comb to dip in it when she drinks. She and my other hen are in the basement now until this cold snap in Minnesota is past (may be 'til March, eh?). It's been -2 or -3 these last couple nights.

Chickens in the basement were not part of my plan. I feel awful though and can only figure that their winter lodgings are inadequate. They hate snow and don't even go out anymore. Poor, miserable birds.

I found a website for people-frostbite that suggests aloe vera. Works well on burns. I may try it. Meanwhile, the girls are cozy and stinky in the basement.

And, I might add, that all this winter prep for my two hens has brought my per-egg cost to about $42.60.

Stay warm, folks and birds.

- Kerri in St. Paul

 

[Poultryboy15]

Its not always the larger combs that are frostbitten it can be the thinnest or the smallest ccombes.