I am inersterested in BYCers ideas and remedies they use to keep chickens with large single combs and large wattles from freezing over winter. Since I don't have a heated barn and live around the KCMO areas, I am open for suggestions. This will be the first time that I have single comb birds over winter. I ususally raise wyandottes and brahmas, but was able find some excellent show quality large fowl black cochins this summer and I would hate to see their combs froze. Looking forward to reading your remedies.
vaseline petroleum jelly applied to wattles and combs will keep them from freezing. The biggest cause of frostbite is too much humidity, which is what you get if you close up your coop too tightly trying to keep the cold out. Go to patandchickens big old ventilation page and read up on that. She's got it right.
it also helps if you run the vaseline under some warm or hot water for a while before applying it, to loosen it up
Vaseline doesn't work in extreme cold, in fact it can make it worse. I used to use it until one of my rooster's comb froze solid because of the vaseline. Keep them in with a heat lamp during very cold weather or they will get frostbite on their combs. They don't mind, the ends turn purple then scab up and fall off doesn't really bother them. So it's not like it's life threatening but it can ruin a show bird's chances. If you don't have any way to get heat out there you may have to bring them into a sheltered area- a screened in porch or something when it gets cold.
