My rooster's comb in the winter

[trixanne]

I used to have backyard chickens untill I moved to the country. Now I have more chickens and a Rooster. They are all Buff orpington's. My rooster I got as a day old in late febuary has become a real giant. But his comb is so big that I don't know how he holds up his head. Larger than I have seen in any picture. I have a large coop and only 8 chickens. So body heat in the coop will be slim to none. I live in southern missouri so it rarely gets below zero. But I don't know how to protect that huge thing on his head. Please what do I do.

 

[chicks are life]

Just make sure there is proper ventilation in the coop and check his comb daily for signs of frostbite.

 

[trixanne]

Here is my rooster

 

[sannabelle]

And make sure your coop stays dry! No leaks in the roof- I live in MO too, and the only frostbite issues I've had are if there is a lot of moisture+cold

 

[sannabelle]

He's so handsome!!!

 

[drumstick diva]

some say putting vaseline on the comb will help prevent frostbite.

 

[trixanne]

It is a 10x20 shed. My husband insolated, and put 2 windows in. I crack the windows. Pretty air tight. No leaks.

 

[wamtazlady]

If you are cracking open the windows any breeze from the windows should not be blowing onto the birds. You need to get some ventilation up high, above the birds. I live in NW Montana where last winter it got down to -22. Have about 10 square feet of vents for a 6 by 8 foot coop that are covered in hardware cloth and never closed. Vents are under the eaves so no rain gets in. No heat or insulation in coop. No frostbite. The idea is to get the moisture from their breathing and pooping out of the coop. That moisture in the coop is what will cause frostbite.

 

[N F C]

Good info from @wamtazlady hope it helps.

Thanks for joining us!

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've joined us