i need advice on dubbing and cropping chickenzzzzzzzz

[BantyChooks]

A quick google search indicates that your wintertime temps are similar to mine, if not a bit warmer.

Depends on the area. AB in general has more severe temperature swings than the northeast USA, i.e. both colder and hotter. Northern Alberta is downright fearsome in winter, and apart from some magic or a gigantic electric bill, anything with more than an invisible comb is going to get trimmed.

 

[BantyChooks]

So, I might cut off one of my hen's combs and wattles cause she keeps getting frostbite in the winter, and i feel like its wrong to let her suffer through another winter of frostbite. So, how should i dub and crop them? what should I use? ....should i just take them to the vet to get it done (i would prefer not to because vets are expensive and the $$$ all belongs to my parents [i'm a kid])

The part that concerns me is "keeps getting frostbite". Usually it's a once-and-done thing. Does it keep going further down or is it mild frostbite that she recovers from every year and then gets again?

 

[Arya28]

I personally won't touch a frost bit comb. IMO, touching that damaged tissue can damage it further.

Roos are more prone to frost bite b/c they tend to stay on high alert, even at night, while the hens are more sensible: they tuck their head under their wings. If the roo tucks his head, he still may have some of his large comb sticking out.

Also, choosing breeds that have small combs is helpful for snow country. Pea, walnut and rose combs are great cold weather combs.

Yep, I have also read people say they won't touch frostbite combs. There seems to be quite a divide over this. We researched a lot before we decided to do it, but ultimately after not touching them for a while, the oil proved to be helpful with our roosters. Not saying it works with everyone though.

 

[LittleCheepers]

I would urge you to get the information you need to show your parents how badly you need a bigger coop. You didn’t say how many chickens you have, but with your size coop, the max it has room for is four - and even then it has very inadequate ventilation. You say “they only sleep in there” and are outside most of the time, even in the winter. But it is while they are “only sleeping in there” that they develop frostbite.

I can tell you love your chickens or you wouldn’t be so concerned about them. And your parents must be nice people to have raised such a caring daughter. So get your information together and plead your case! Good luck and let us know what happens!

 

[ChickNanny13]

How many hens/chickens do you have? The minimum recommended for a coop is 4sqft per chicken. Those that fight chickens here do their Roos but I wouldn't "dub/crop" comb/wattles, lazy gardener's way sounds like the best way to go.

 

[chickengeorgeto]

dubbing is a VERY painful thing to do to them... how about you heat their coop?

If a chicken feels pain when dubbed it is likely because your instruments are dull.

 

[ButtonquailGirl14]

If a chicken feels pain when dubbed it is likely because your instruments are dull.

you mean it wouldn't feel pain if you cut its comb and wattles off, but if the get pecked it hurts?

 

[ChickNanny13]

Really think it would be PAINFUL & BLOODY

 

[chickengeorgeto]

you mean it wouldn't feel pain if you cut its comb and wattles off, but if the get pecked it hurts?

The only time I have seen anything that would suggest that dubbing is painful is when a dull pair of scissors was used and this produces a pinching type action. In the past the comb, wattles, and earlobes would often be minced up and fed right back to the rooster. He seemed to lose all his aversion (if he ever had any) to what just happened focusing instead on the windfall of fresh meat. More than one long time chicken keeper on this sight has often noted a chicken's stoic behavior. No Chicken has ever told me that it hurt to be pecked on the top of their head and I have seen it happen so often that the rooster's comb was in effect dubbed..