Replacement for Vaseline (to put on the combs)

[GracefulBantams]

We are about to have the coldest weather my chickens have ever been in! The weatherman said that exposed skin will get frostbite in 30 min. outside tomorrow

And living almost my whole life in southern Oklahoma, I just don't know how to handle this!
I am worried about my chickens' combs getting frostbite. I know you can put vaseline on there combs, but I was wondering what the other options are?

Thanks,
Grace

 

[teach1rusl]

Someone on here said they use bag balm (assuming they mean some type of salve that goes on a cow's udder...???)

 

[Whispering Winds]

I was going to suggest Bag Balm too, its healing and coating at the same time, and $5 at Rural King for a big square tin of it.

 

[GracefulBantams]

Thanks, I was trying to be creative since I don't have any vaseline here at the house.... but I don't have any cow products either

I should look for that next time I go to a farm store, though! Thanks.

I did find a think called "Vitamins A&D ointment" here.... would that work?

 

[mamaKate]

You could try my method. I seem to have become a softee in my old age. Last night I installed a perch on my enclosed back porch and brought in my 5 birds. The sixth is already in a crate inside because she didn't seem to be handling the cold well. I'll need to do something different tonight. The BO roo got a little nervous at 4:30 and started singing. He's a LOT louder than he was when he was inside as a half grown chick. I have two small coops and I've been carrying jugs of hot water out at bed time but I was too tired last night. Now my hot water lines are all frozen so that certainly won't work. I've never brought them in before. This roo has a very large comb and I hate to see it damaged. I think I'll crate and cover him to try to get him to sleep a little later.Thank God, we never get long term bad weather here. Next week will be better.

 

[HeatherFeather]

I'm familiar with the A&D ointment, I used it sometimes for diapering, and found it pretty much interchangeable with vaseline performance wise, it's a great barrier. I'd say that it soaks in a little quicker than vaseline, but is much more healing (and much more expensive!!). It seems to have a slightly lower melting point than vaseline, its not quite as thick. But it essentially is a petroleum product anyways.

 

[GracefulBantams]

Thanks for the information!

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Raw expellar pressed coconut oil is wonderful for this purpose. But do make sure its raw and not processed.
The raw is antivirul, antibacterial and antifungul. And so very healing and warming.

 

[oberhaslikid]

Has anyone ever used the spray on bandage?
I wanted to ask this before but feel now is my chance.
I was wondering how it might protect a comb.

 

[davidb]

If you don't have vaseline, and have a tube of chap stick, I think that would work