Non-Hardy Breed + Long Comb Questions

[Coturnix Quail]

Okay, so, this is my first year with chickens. I have nine, all of which are hardy, except one. I live upstate NY and I excepted her to be on the table by now but I fell in love, and it's beginning to get cold outside and I'm worried about her. She's a Sicilian Buttercup, which if you didn't know, isn't cold hardy like my other girls, so, if anything, what should I do? She seems to be doing fine right now, but I'm not sure how she'll hold up through this winter.. Also, my Buff Orpington and my RIR have large, floppy combs. (Everyone is 9 months old) So, the issue is, frostbite. Should I be worried? I heard putting a thin layer of Vaseline on their combs does the trick? TIA

 

[cavemanrich]

The Vaseline keeps the humidity from collecting on the comb. She still may get frostbit, but it is a better option for her than getting a hatchet service. They do recover after frostbite on their own. Considering that she is in the company of other chickens, while sitting and roosting, the chickens do snuggle close and do share body warmth.
WISHING YOU BEST.....

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I have yet to find a breed that isn't winter hardy here in Wisconsin. Bigger combed birds will often lose comb and wattle tissue to frostbite, but it doesn't bother most of them. Your hen should be fine.

 

[song of joy]

I've heard the same thing about using vaseline on the combs and wattles, but I've never used it and I've never really had any significant frostbite issues despite having a non-heated coop. Sometimes the very tips of the points of a rooster's single comb will turn black and die back, but I haven't seen anything significant.

 

[cavemanrich]

This is a Sicilian Butttercup. No explanation needed to see why they are not considered WINTER HARDY.

 

[aart]

Vaseline won't help, could make it worse.
Dry coop with good ventilation will help some, but at certain temps nothing will help.

Bigger combed birds will often lose comb and wattle tissue to frostbite, but it doesn't bother most of them.

Also my experience.

IMO it's best not to even touch it......it's compromised tissue and touching it could very easily make it worse.

Had several birds with frostbit combs and wattles last winter, most were the mild graying of the tissue, some had black necrosis that eventually soughed off. I think the wattles get bit because they drag them thru the snow.

I just keep a watch for swelling that lasts more than a few days or obvious infection.

 

[BantyChooks]

I have yet to find a breed that isn't winter hardy here in Wisconsin. Bigger combed birds will often lose comb and wattle tissue to frostbite, but it doesn't bother most of them. Your hen should be fine.

I do not consider 'winter hardy' to be just based on what size of comb they have but rather a culmination of feather type, temperament, and size, to name a few factors.

To the OP: your bird will be fine. She might get frostbite, but that won't kill her and she won't get it again next year. Vaseline is dubious in the 'does it help' department and some have evidence it actually contributes to frostbite.
Some hard feathered breeds just can't deal with cold. I have some; they get to come inside for a few days if I see them losing condition or acting more lethargic than is normal in severe weather.

 

[Coturnix Quail]

Okay, so all has been fine, but I've noticed the top of Buff's comb and one other chicken's comb is turning a little pale. Is that normal?

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Okay, so all has been fine, but I've noticed the top of Buff's comb and one other chicken's comb is turning a little pale. Is that normal?

Probably. Mine get whitish comb tips in winter, and the whole comb can take on a whitish look if they aren't laying in winter.