How To Prevent Frostbite?

[Folly's place]

The only cock that has a single comb here is my Belgian d'Uccle, and compared to many, it's not very large (it's cute like he is!). Otherwise, the Chantecler and the EE bantam boys have small combs.
I've never tried the vasoline thing, no way!
Mary

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The only cock that has a single comb here is my Belgian d'Uccle, and compared to many, it's not very large (it's cute like he is!). Otherwise, the Chantecler and the EE bantam boys have small combs.
I've never tried the vasoline thing, no way!
View attachment 1202306 View attachment 1202307 Mary

They are adorable. I think it does matter where you live too. Those of us north will have months and months of frostbite creating weather. It would never end. Those who occasionally see freezing weather would be more inclined to grease up the rooster every few weeks when the temperatures dip.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Great conversation guys.

Well seems to me like the only way Vaseline could "help" prevent frost bite was if it's freezing point is higher than water.

Also wanna mention what I've noticed about moisture in the air...
So I live on the coast in the PNW. We are VERY humid most of the time. Humidity inside my house with the heater going is about 62%. It must be higher than that outside, I would think.

Anyways, if our forecast says it will be 38, then we will have frost on the grass. More so the farther away from the house you get. And less so under trees as well. If it says 37 is predicted that means my water will have a thin sheet of ice on top, even under my covered run (nipples weren't frozen on my bucket waterers). Huh, I thought water didn't freeze until 32?!

Also, be very careful about the type of waterers you have out there.

This an excellent point. I saw my FBCM with his waddles dipping in the water recently. Which as noted doesn't happen with nipples. I have been experimenting with using chick waterers because I wanted to give the birds a little extra vitamins for hatching and my dogs don't seem to care what I want and drink it up if it's in the regular wide dish. While that may not be a good option for many, I wonder if that type that's similar to chick waterers but large would work just as well. Maybe with heat tape wrapped around near the bottom.

In addition the wide dish works terrible for my heavily bearded and crested birds.

Hope y'all have a fantastic day!

 

[BantyChooks]

Well seems to me like the only way Vaseline could "help" prevent frost bite was if it's freezing point is higher than water.

It's supposed to keep moisture from condensing on the comb, I think. Don't quote me on that, though.

 

[Michael Propst]

I have heard many recommendation for Vaseline. I have seen in the past where many people warned against Vaseline. I have been using Green Goo First Aid for Animals by Sierra Sage it not only protects but will help heal. Also available at Amazon

 

[EggSighted4Life]

It's supposed to keep moisture from condensing on the comb, I think. Don't quote me on that, though.

I understand the theory, just curious if there is a way to scientifically confirm.. Since freezing is freezing regardless of the substance, in my over thinking brain.

I tried to find the freezing point. So far this is what I came up with..

Boiling/Condensation Point 335°C (635°F) Melting/Freezing Point 54.444°C (130°F). Seems as though they didn't include it, but just the melting/boiling point. Since I work by reasonable deduction, but didn't appreciate science back in the day... Does anybody know if something has a higher boiling point if it ALSO has a higher freezing point? Anybody find freezing point relative, the way I think it is?

 

[Folly's place]

EggSighted, the temps predicted won't tell you what your temperatures will be in specific sites. We often have frost appear in spotty locations, right around the house, and looking out the windows. And that 31F may only be for a very brief time, but the frost takes a while to melt off. Mary

 

[EggSighted4Life]

EggSighted, the temps predicted won't tell you what your temperatures will be in specific sites. We often have frost appear in spotty locations, right around the house, and lookin out the windows. And that 31F may only be for a very brief time, but the frost takes a while to melt off. Mary

That's true and a a very good point. It's easy for things to slip my mind sometimes.

An interesting article... https://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/717044_5

Another one. Though I like accu-weather in general, I didn't see them note their sources. It seems to indicate Vaseline would work well for our intended use... Though I probably never will have to. We did hit 18 degrees for more than 8 hours at our old location. My girls were fine then. It was also the desert and very dry conditions. I will say since I moved to the coast, the humidity DID make it feel both colder on cold days and hotter/sweatier on warm days.
https://www.accuweather.com/en/weather-news/winter-temperatures-can-freeze/42818

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Thank you Folly for sorting that out. I was trying to think about EggSighted4Life's conundrum with the weather gage out there in California. What the Heck?!

Around here we call the low spots "Cooleys". Cold air goes to the lowest spot first. My neighbors may also have frost inducing temps. But since we are near the lake we often don't have frost like other areas. So if near a body of water even though cold enough...that temperate body of water will keep surrounding area just warm enough to keep frost at bay for a while.

Humidity is an issue for coastal states. And for areas near the great lakes too. If the relative humidity outside is high. It's a fight inside the coop. That's the only problem. And actually the dry pine shaving can help absorb some of that though. And that's why I think dry litter is the bomb.

We actually had some freezing rain yesterday and into the night with dropping temps. Crazy weather for us. And no good for the chickens. I went down the the coop and cleaned out the poop. Just got it out of there. I knew dry shavings would be well received. You could almost feel the difference in the coop once the old was out and the new shavings were in.

 

[centrarchid]

Complications I see with high humidity involve condensate forming on feathers rather that tissues that are prone to frost bite. Wetted feathers are less effective insulators increasing odds of cold stress. Cold stressed birds trying to conserve heat shunt blood flow away from extremities that then become more prone to frost bite. Birds with wetted feathers need not appear wet but if you handle them their feathers do not form the complete uniform fluff over the body. Such birds can be in a real bind if they go outside and are exposed to really cold temperature air with a wind.