Hey, all! I need some tips and advice on how to dub single combs and waddles. My sister has a White Leghorn cockerel (4 months old) who needs to have his waddles and comb dubbed before winter sets in so that he doesn't get frostbite. I have no idea how to do it, and I am getting concerned as his waddles and comb are just getting bigger and bigger. If anyone could give me a little tutorial on how to dub, I'd be obliged to them. I also have an OEGB cockerel who might need his comb and waddles dubbed, too. Thanks!
You are in North Carolina, I don't think the cold will be that bad that dubbing is required. Nothing compared to the northern states, that is. He will very likely be fine with intact comb and wattles.
I have birds in Wisconsin with single combs(inc leghorns) and they are fine through the winter. One got only the tips of his comb frostbitten, but that was minor. I am sure if you wanted you could search other sites that would have tutorials. They say it doesnt hurt, but I beg to differ. I have dubbed modern games before and doubt I will again.
You will be fine with the leghorn. As long as coop has good ventilation and deep bedding you will have no problems. My chickens are single combs and we got well over a foot of snow here and no frostbite.. My chickens even free range in the snow just check their blog for the winter posts I have pictures of them. Frostbite is cause by humidity so ventalation is very important. The more the better. All under my roof is open by 4 inches chickens have no problems in winter and no frostbite in 3 years.
I don't think you need to dub him. I've had single combed birds for years here in Virginia, and I've never had one get frostbite. I would only worry about dubbing him if he gets frostbite, but not before. He should be fine through the winter.
Your weather is a lot like ours in Tennessee; we have birds with huge single combs who have only had the tips of their combs affected. As long as they have a place to get out of the wind, they should be fine.
Agreed, doubt you need to dub for winter where you live, however, if you still want to dub for show purposes or the likes, - Google "how to dub chickens" and you'll find a YouTube video as well as a nice detailed article on UltimateFowl.
First I agree, it shouldn't be necessary. But to answer your question, if you go to youtube and type in "dubbing a chicken", there are a couple of different video examples there. When my son was showing 4-H poultry, he bought an OEGB cockerel. The breeder dubbed the bird for us while we watched (you just use scissors). I KNEW that would be the first and last bird we owned that would require dubbing to be shown. Or he could only show females or cockerels. Yuck I found it truly disturbing. Deb
