Getting a hold of Spike!

[blackandtan]

You could try Bag Balm, the little green can should be at any country feed store, it’s especially for dry chapped teats on cows but also works for dog pads, hands, and combs.
Anyway that’s just if you’re set on doing *something* to help them, but it would work for a little rooster training too.
I also have a BR roo - named Roo - and he lost all his tips his first winter, he healed up with no problem at all and I considered it a plus because now his whole comb is warm even at -30 and he hasn’t had any frostbite since.

However, I read a study years ago, (don’t ask me to reference it, it was done back in the 30’s and I can’t remember the what book it was in let alone who the author was), anyway, a study of long distance swimmers was done regarding those who cover themselves in grease versus those who don’t. At the time people thought that greasing up helped keep in some body heat while swimming for hours in the cold ocean. It turned out that the opposite was true and the greasy swimmers got colder, faster. Anyway, I wonder if the same is true of chickens, does Vaseline actually slow or stop frostbite?

 

[aart]

Anyway, I wonder if the same is true of chickens, does Vaseline actually slow or stop frostbite?

No, it does not.
There was a post here recently of someone who did the Vaseline and still got frostbite.
I wish I had saved that post, it was the only one I've seen that 'proved' it.

 

[50-45-1]

chickens with rose or pea combs are better suited to cold climates.
Vaseline will not prevent frostbite on your roosters comb. maybe even worsen it.
try this....

 

[007Sean]

You could try Bag Balm, the little green can should be at any country feed store, it’s especially for dry chapped teats on cows but also works for dog pads, hands, and combs.
Anyway that’s just if you’re set on doing *something* to help them, but it would work for a little rooster training too.
I also have a BR roo - named Roo - and he lost all his tips his first winter, he healed up with no problem at all and I considered it a plus because now his whole comb is warm even at -30 and he hasn’t had any frostbite since.

However, I read a study years ago, (don’t ask me to reference it, it was done back in the 30’s and I can’t remember the what book it was in let alone who the author was), anyway, a study of long distance swimmers was done regarding those who cover themselves in grease versus those who don’t. At the time people thought that greasing up helped keep in some body heat while swimming for hours in the cold ocean. It turned out that the opposite was true and the greasy swimmers got colder, faster. Anyway, I wonder if the same is true of chickens, does Vaseline actually slow or stop frostbite?

Swimmers in oceans "grease up" to keep from getting dehydrated. Osmosis takes place in the human body when immersed in saltwater.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

You could try Bag Balm, the little green can should be at any country feed store, it’s especially for dry chapped teats on cows but also works for dog pads, hands, and combs.
Anyway that’s just if you’re set on doing *something* to help them, but it would work for a little rooster training too.
I also have a BR roo - named Roo - and he lost all his tips his first winter, he healed up with no problem at all and I considered it a plus because now his whole comb is warm even at -30 and he hasn’t had any frostbite since.

However, I read a study years ago, (don’t ask me to reference it, it was done back in the 30’s and I can’t remember the what book it was in let alone who the author was), anyway, a study of long distance swimmers was done regarding those who cover themselves in grease versus those who don’t. At the time people thought that greasing up helped keep in some body heat while swimming for hours in the cold ocean. It turned out that the opposite was true and the greasy swimmers got colder, faster. Anyway, I wonder if the same is true of chickens, does Vaseline actually slow or stop frostbite?

Oh geez..my hubby puts bag balm on everything!! Hmm...interesting...I wonder why that article on this forum mentioned Vaseline as the Go To? I also could sware I saw the veteracyn listed one of its uses for frostbite. I don’t care now..I’ll leave them go...but, I’ve checked about five bottles since I saw that and can’t find that anywhere on the label...anyone ever hear of that or am I remembering wrong?

 

[blackandtan]

Yes because frostbite is considered a burn and should be kept moist with a layer of ointment till it heals but it is not to prevent additional frostbite

 

[aart]

Hmm...interesting...I wonder why that article on this forum mentioned Vaseline as the Go To? I also could sware I saw the veteracyn listed one of its uses for frostbite.

You'll read a lot of stuff here and on the nest in general that is not true.

Yes because frostbite is considered a burn and should be kept moist with a layer of ointment till it heals

Maybe on human skin, but not on a chicken comb.

 

[blackandtan]

[QUOTE="aart,
Maybe on human skin, but not on a chicken comb.[/QUOTE]
No I was just referring to the polysporin tube (Neosporin to you Americans ). When my Roo got frostbite I didn’t treat it with anything; his tips froze, dried up and broke off. I consider it a plus in my climate and if I could find a roo with feathered feet and NO furnishings on his head, I would.

 

[Duckfarmer1]

Well, I think we’re going to focus on more bedding, insulation, and making positive that the humidity is spot on...but, if it does happen..I’m going to simply leave it be...

 

[blackandtan]

I did try a little toque once, with predictable results lol.