Topic of the Week - Frostbite, prevention and treatment - Graphic images in thread

[Tumbleweedlynn]

We had a really cold snap last winter and 2 of my girls got very mild frostbite. Purple/black comb tips for best part of a week, then they recovered. It was 0c and 98% humidity outside the coop. Is there anything will help when the atmospheric humidity is so high?

What do people have to say about Vaseline? I saw that somewhere and might try it myself

 

[Meg22]

What do people have to say about Vaseline? I saw that somewhere and might try it myself

I've heard a lot of different reports about Vaseline. Some say it makes it worse. I could try lanolin but my hands are always so cold that I would struggle to warm it up enough to apply.
was reading this.
https://solarflaresauce.com/blogs/read/how-to-actually-treat-and-prevent-frostbite-in-chickens

 

[Tumbleweedlynn]

I've heard a lot of different reports about Vaseline. Some say it makes it worse. I could try lanolin but my hands are always so cold that I would struggle to warm it up enough to apply.
was reading this.
https://solarflaresauce.com/blogs/read/how-to-actually-treat-and-prevent-frostbite-in-chickens

That was an excellent article, thank you for sharing. I’ll sure be on top of that this year - my guy lost part of his comb last year (Ayam Cemani), and it was growing in so beautifully. He did grow back his tips, so we were lucky

 

[Goldenwahintofboss]

Another great topic....
I'm in Central Alberta, Canada...
This is my Chicken Winter Management...I also have Call Ducks...That's another story....
My Chickens have respiratory disease..Cold weather brings out symptoms...We could be +5C one day and as low as -25C the next..I run heat in my Coop, although it's never that warm..The water does Ice up..I block off the West and North facing vents and keep the other sides open..Breed of Chickens plays a big part in how well the do in cold climates..I have Orpington, Brahma and one little Silkie Cross that sleeps between my Rooster and an Orpington..
I use 2x4 roosts flat side up so they can lay on their feet..
Chickens on a Roost are like a parking lot of Cars running..They breath and moisture rises up and onto combs...Poop also is moisture as is the water in the coops..
My Heat is over the water not directly over my Birds..
I just helped a BYC member relocate her Birds that were not the right breed for our Alberta winters...My Friend bought them to help her out and to save the Chickens from Frostbite...
Knowing the temps of our locations and providing proper feed, water, adequate housing...No Animal should suffer frostbite..
Vaseline is recommended as frost bite prevention...Depepending on how cold you get?...That will freeze too...I recommend certain Cold weather Breeds and management for certain locations..

Wow. OK. It's my first winter here in Northern Ontario, it's gets very cold
.Some days -45 . And I have a well vented coop. With a heat lamp n we near the floor. I put pine shavings and lots of thick chopped straw down..it stays pretty dry. It was a wood shed previously. Three nesting boxes to. 13 chickens. Should I put in heat here? The roof has vents so it won't get humid.i just worry they will be to cold. It was -14 already here. And they balance in one foot and it pains me to watch
I have made them warm rice and give them lots of greens. Been boiling eggs for them to. They seem to love it.I get 8 to 9 eggs a day still
Will this keep going all winter? I appreciate your advice and know how.

 

[thecatumbrella]

Hijacking this thread to ask about Musher's Secret. For those that use it, how often do you reapply?

 

[DLA]

I've heard a lot of different reports about Vaseline. Some say it makes it worse. I could try lanolin but my hands are always so cold that I would struggle to warm it up enough to apply.
was reading this.
https://solarflaresauce.com/blogs/read/how-to-actually-treat-and-prevent-frostbite-in-chickens

I use bag balm when we're getting really cold spells. It's got lanolin and paraffin wax in it so I think works better than vaseline. Haven't had any issues with any frostbite and a couple of my hens have bigger combs. I check and reapply as needed, maybe once a week.

 

[chicken-tender]

It sure is. I’ve put several large posts on here with valuable information with multiple likes. I’ve also poked fun at cold living conditions to lighten it up for our readers who may find themselves overwhelmed, stressed, dealing with frostbite lesions on chickens or ducks that they love and care for.

I think most people appreciate some comic relief and a good sense of humor. To hear from those that have went through the most horrific of frostbites and know how to hold it together with some lighter content to keep others going is of value I personally think.

We’re not just trying to help the bird on here. Something that everybody must understand.

I see your statement to a point. But nothing seemed too overboard for chit-chat upon my review of this whole thread.

Totally agree!

 

[skeeeter]

deep bedding vs. deep litter... I live in the deeep south and don't get more than 2-3 frosts per year but I can tell you that deep bedding= high humidity. That is a no no even here because it causes respiratory issues even with excellent ventilation. just saying.

 

[DLA]

deep bedding vs. deep litter... I live in the deeep south and don't get more than 2-3 frosts per year but I can tell you that deep bedding= high humidity. That is a no no even here because it causes respiratory issues even with excellent ventilation. just saying.

I could see how that might be an issue with deep bedding in damper or more humid areas. Good info to know. Here further north we sometimes get warmer spells during winter but most of the time everything is freeze dried as long as you have a roof and something to keep the snow from blowing in the run and don't restrict the ventilation too much.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

It is a good article, but I have to disagree with some of the comments with the absolute statements regarding ventilation. The comments that say as long as you have good ventilation your chickens won’t get frost bite and that if your chickens do get it that there wasn’t enough ventilation are situation dependent. Frost bite prevention is not 100% black and white when it comes to certain temperature and elements. Frostbite itself is when the skin and the tissue layer below get too cold to the point of damage. Extreme wind chill on the skin along with extreme temperatures can cause frost bite very rapidly. While avoiding humidity on the skin to prevent more rapid skin and tissue temperature decline is necessary in prevention, once it gets so cold even with the driest air the skin is still being exposed to those extreme temperatures. The absolute if you have good ventilation then you won’t get frostbite I would say applies to certain temperature ranges, but is not 100% true for subzero and high wind locations. If ventilation solved all frostbite issues then people and animals that are stranded outside in the open air would never get frostbite. I am not saying ventilation isn’t a big proponent in preventing frostbite, but there seems to be some translation issues on BYC. I have seen people who are what I would consider warm winter temperatures (I consider that anything above 0F) telling people in subzero or high wind chill locations that as long as they have ventilation their chickens won’t get frostbite. With all due respect even a well ventilated coop once it reaches those subzero temperatures or if they are let out during the day with high wind chills there is a good chance of some frostbite especially on any larger combs. At that point unless you heat your coop and keep your chickens locked up during those temperatures the risk for frostbite is there. Before anyone jumps down my throat because I said “heated coop” I am not telling anyone to heat their coops. I am simply saying that once the skin is exposed to certain temperatures there is a good chance of frost bite even if you have excellent ventilation.