Vasoline on combs?

[jarcoo0153]

My grandpa told me that I could put vasoline on the combs and wattles to help prevent frostbite, has anyone heard of this?!

 

[abhaya]

yes you can do that and it works but if your coop is dry and draft free you dont need to do it unless it is bitter cold like -0

 

[Moabite]

I've been putting Bag Balm on my girls' combs and waddles and they really like it, kinda like scratching a cat's chin. I figure the lanolin would improve the skin quality. I did it more as an experiment 'cause it hasn't dropped below 25* hear yet.

 

[johny]

I have heard of that too.

But what evidence is there to say it works?

Think about it.
If you were outside exposed for hours in ultra cold conditions do you really think you could prevent frostbite to your cheeks or nose with some Vaseline?
Really!
Think about it?
It sounds totally absurd.

Have anyone ever heard from a reliable outdoor/winter survival reference for humans that suggests smearing ourselves with Vaseline.
Of course not.
Personal insulation and shelter is the key to comfortable survival.

Chicken personal insulation are their feathers.
If that is not enought, then you need more insulation in their coop.

 

[sevenbabychicks]

Quote:
great post!

 

[littlestars17]

It may not prevent frostbite but can prevent combs/wattles freezing onto other things...Also looks the moisture in so might help with windburn..

 

[Where The Wild Things Are]

Quote:
Well...what about Chapstick etc.? Of course Vaseline will not keep us from getring frostbite...but much like chickens, we too have parts that are more sensitive to cold, wind etc. Lock in the moisture, and in theory it should help. IMHO

 

[HeritageHens]

I have no idea if it works or not but...
Quote:
Chickens don't have feathers on their combs.

 

[aubreynoramarie]

Quote:
Well...what about Chapstick etc.? Of course Vaseline will not keep us from getring frostbite...but much like chickens, we too have parts that are more sensitive to cold, wind etc. Lock in the moisture, and in theory it should help. IMHO

i think the point is that it will keep moisture from reaching the comb/wattles which will make temps seem a million times warmer in rain and snow. The watlles and combs are so thin skinned, that humans have no comperable part of their body to it (no, not even the weener). thats why its different.

 

[Where The Wild Things Are]

Quote:
Well...what about Chapstick etc.? Of course Vaseline will not keep us from getring frostbite...but much like chickens, we too have parts that are more sensitive to cold, wind etc. Lock in the moisture, and in theory it should help. IMHO

i think the point is that it will keep moisture from reaching the comb/wattles which will make temps seem a million times warmer in rain and snow. The watlles and combs are so thin skinned, that humans have no comperable part of their body to it (no, not even the weener). thats why its different.

I would think our lips are quite comparable, that's why I used the Chapstick analogy. But again, it's IMHO