Roos getting frostbite already

[bigspringshatchery]

Ive noticed that my rir roo and my buff roo is already getting a lil frostbite and it's not even been that cold yet. But they said the wind chill could be 3F here tomorrow morning. What can I do to help them? And once they get it what do I need to do?

 

[kittycooks]

Do your birds free range? Can you get them into a shelter at night?

I've heard of people putting Vaseline on the wattles to help protect them, but I haven't done this myself.

 

[HEChicken]

Since you are in Alabama, they really shouldn't get frost bite at all. I live in a much colder climate and have never had frost bite on any of mine. Does your coop have enough ventilation? If it doesn't the moist air from their exhalations can cause frostbite. Try increasing the ventilation and see if that helps.

 

[patandchickens]

What are your actual temperatures (windchill only matters to birds out IN the wind, which yours presumably are not -- their shelter needs to have relatively still air, so only the actual thermometer temperature matters). I'm surprised it'd be getting down much below freezing in Alabama yet, although I confess I have not been glued to the weather channel.

If you are SURE it's frostbite not pecking, I'd be concerned about humidity or draftiness. Although, if they *have* started to get frostbite for whatever reason (very large-combed breeds?) then you might consider running a safely-rigged not-too-high-wattage lamp for them to keep them comfortable and keep it from getting worse.

Good luck, have fun,

Pat

 

[NGaMountainChicken]

We use petroleum jelly on our New Hampshires and RIR roos to protect there combs when we see temps getting in the 20's or lower. So far so good with ours but they are in 3x4 pens no big open fly pens or runs. Went out and done it tonight with this artic blast we have on us right now .