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[CCUK]

I recently read an article about putting Vaseline on combs and wattles to prevent frostbite, does anyone know if this is correct or maybe have used this method yourselves and if so, does our winters warrant such a practice? We just got over three days of fierce rain and some hailstones, now we have frost and thin layer of ice some mornings, although not extreme I don't want to put my girls through unnecessary stress based on something I've read, however if I can find evidence of this working, obviously it will be worth doing it for them.

I've never had a problem with frost bite. Or my chickens haven't! I think it's normally the breeds with large combs that may be more susceptible to it. I think that so long as the coop is dry and ventilated, not draughty than they should be ok. If you do think there is a risk than I've heard that putting vaseline on is meant to prevent it. Also, the roosts want to be wide enough for them to get their toes up and covered by their feathers, to keep them warm. Chickens generate ALOT of heat. Last winter when it got real cold, I covered the coops and blocked the draughty doors, left the vents open though and when I went down in the morning to let them out it was like an oven in the coop! I could have sat in there in a t-shirt it was that warm! But the key to cold weather is a dry, ventilated coop and run. Have a few tarps on hand for snow and if the rain gets too bad.

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I've never had a problem with frost bite. Or my chickens haven't! I think it's normally the breeds with large combs that may be more susceptible to it. I think that so long as the coop is dry and ventilated, not draughty than they should be ok. If you do think there is a risk than I've heard that putting vaseline on is meant to prevent it. Also, the roosts want to be wide enough for them to get their toes up and covered by their feathers, to keep them warm. Chickens generate ALOT of heat. Last winter when it got real cold, I covered the coops and blocked the draughty doors, left the vents open though and when I went down in the morning to let them out it was like an oven in the coop! I could have sat in there in a t-shirt it was that warm! But the key to cold weather is a dry, ventilated coop and run. Have a few tarps on hand for snow and if the rain gets too bad.

Thank you, its good to know I'm on the right track. We get a lot of high winds where I live so I already wind proofed it in September ready for storm Ali, which gave us up to 80mh winds here. Really pleased with the result, whole of roof is covered with tarp, front and first quarter sides of the run is bare, middle where duck house is, is tarped single layer, back end where chickens house is, is tarped double layer. Wind was tossing garden furniture around as though it were paper, inside run as though no wind at all, did a test, lit a lighter, flame didn't even flicker - only downfall is tarp very noisy - can still scare the birds if the wind hits all of a sudden but on the whole they're used to it now. The run isn't completely dry because of the ducks slopping water when they drink from their water bowls, so I keep them at the front of the run as ducks are hardier than chickens when it comes to wind and rain. I am in the process of covering the run floor with wood chip, twigs and leaves, to help protect their feet and warmth, just stopped for lunch and to warm up a bit myself! I was thinking more about when they are free ranging, we have the frosts now and thin layers of ice forming but if yours don't need it then I don't see why mine would, I'm sure you get far far colder weather where you are, than we do. My chickens sleep in the nest areas, I have no qualms about them doing so, so not going to try stop them, I poop pick first thing every morning and completely change bedding once weekly, never had a dirty egg, no poop on them what so ever. Later today I'm going to cover the sides and doors with some thick cardboard I have, to give some insulation but having a bit of trouble with the girls keep pecking at it, not sure I can do anything about that though.

 

[PouleChick]

I recently read an article about putting Vaseline on combs and wattles to prevent frostbite, does anyone know if this is correct

I think a lot of the stuff on here is obviously US / North American centric, from what I've read this sort of thing is only required if you live in the cold north of the US / Canada / Alaska etc - they have insane cold and snow for long periods.

 

[Warriorgal]

Hi Sorry i havent been on here for a while. but my favourite chicken (Joffreys first born) was found this morning and passed over the land of rainbows. What would I do with her now ?

 

[CCUK]

Hi Sorry i havent been on here for a while. but my favourite chicken (Joffreys first born) was found this morning and passed over the land of rainbows. What would I do with her now ?

Oh no. I'm so sorry. I have an area that I Bury mine. Unfortunately it's getting quite full. She can't have been that old. Do you know how it happened?

 

[Warriorgal]

Oh no. I'm so sorry. I have an area that I Bury mine. Unfortunately it's getting quite full. She can't have been that old. Do you know how it happened?

No I have no idea what happenned she was in the coop egg box with her head bent, not sure if it was like she jumped and broke her neck. There was no blood but a bit of straw in her mouth, but i pulled it out and the rest of her mouth got clear. She used to always hang around me when I let them out, we were pretty close. Ah well life goes on. I shall think about where i should bury her maybe. Maybe near to where I buried another bird I had once.

 

[CCUK]

No I have no idea what happenned she was in the coop egg box with her head bent, not sure if it was like she jumped and broke her neck. There was no blood but a bit of straw in her mouth, but i pulled it out and the rest of her mouth got clear. She used to always hang around me when I let them out, we were pretty close. Ah well life goes on. I shall think about where i should bury her maybe. Maybe near to where I buried another bird I had once.

I recently had one of the araucanas I hatched die. We came home and she was just lying on the floor next to the feeder. I don't know why or what happened. Sometimes there can be an underlying health issue. Doesn't make it any easier. My heart goes to you. It's always the favourite ones that seem to go first. How are your others?

 

[Anna Ranieri]

I think a lot of the stuff on here is obviously US / North American centric, from what I've read this sort of thing is only required if you live in the cold north of the US / Canada / Alaska etc - they have insane cold and snow for long periods.

Thank you,

 

[Warriorgal]

I recently had one of the araucanas I hatched die. We came home and she was just lying on the floor next to the feeder. I don't know why or what happened. Sometimes there can be an underlying health issue. Doesn't make it any easier. My heart goes to you. It's always the favourite ones that seem to go first. How are your others?

I guess its one of those things that happen, and as you say there could be something underlying, I guess we will never know, she was perfectly fine yesterday, or appeared fine, eating out my hand too but she was a bit clingly and close to me maybe she was trying to tell me something. I have now buried her under a tree near to another bird I once buried. And things move on. I just bathed my silkie a her feathers looked a bit mottled and she was a bit muddy lol. She is sitting indoors with me at the moment. I guess its a matter of focussing on new matters.

 

[PouleChick]

Awwww sorry for your loss