Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[Debbie292d]

-6F with -23 windchill but hey, that thing called "sun" is out! I think it's getting warmer!

 

[All kinds of yokes]

Hello my fellow Wisconsinites! I just joined because I was given a hunny-do from the wife to check on mild frostbite remedies and I re-stumbled on this website, finally registering. Lady from my township recycling center recommended this website a while back since we got our first (6) chickens back in June (Buff Orpington and Barred Rock). It's been fun and moreso rewarding once they started laying later in November. It's been a cold week for the girls and we have the coop fighting the outside temp by 10-13° so were pretty proud of that with lacking any heating, only blocking the Arctic winds with chopped tree segments and hay walls. But not enough to fight those previous -8°. Some got the paleness frostbite and I'm looking to get some petroleum and cover them, hoping it will insulate and warm them back up for repair. Either way, just sticking my head out and saying howdoyoudo. If you have any better recommendations, they're welcomed.

-The Hubby

 

[lagrange chicks]

Hello my fellow Wisconsinites! I just joined because I was given a hunny-do from the wife to check on mild frostbite remedies and I re-stumbled on this website, finally registering. Lady from my township recycling center recommended this website a while back since we got our first (6) chickens back in June (Buff Orpington and Barred Rock). It's been fun and moreso rewarding once they started laying later in November. It's been a cold week for the girls and we have the coop fighting the outside temp by 10-13° so were pretty proud of that with lacking any heating, only blocking the Arctic winds with chopped tree segments and hay walls. But not enough to fight those previous -8°. Some got the paleness frostbite and I'm looking to get some petroleum and cover them, hoping it will insulate and warm them back up for repair. Either way, just sticking my head out and saying howdoyoudo. If you have any better recommendations, they're welcomed.

-The Hubby

You should research putting anything on there combs for frostbite some say yes more say no. I have 5 barred rocks and did not notice any frostbite on mine, we were -14F 2 mornings in a row. Only 2 are still laying 3 are in a soft molt in which turned there combs pale and smaller, poor girls molting in them cold temps.

 

[saysfaa]

...Some got the paleness frostbite and I'm looking to get some petroleum and cover them, hoping it will insulate and warm them back up for repair. Either way, just sticking my head out and saying howdoyoudo. If you have any better recommendations, they're welcomed.

-The Hubby

Hello. Welcome!

I'm with the leave frostbite alone people.

Frostbitten tissue is very susceptible to more damage from shear forces. That is why frostbite in people should not be rubbed. It is the same for chickens.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Hello my fellow Wisconsinites! I just joined because I was given a hunny-do from the wife to check on mild frostbite remedies and I re-stumbled on this website, finally registering. Lady from my township recycling center recommended this website a while back since we got our first (6) chickens back in June (Buff Orpington and Barred Rock). It's been fun and moreso rewarding once they started laying later in November. It's been a cold week for the girls and we have the coop fighting the outside temp by 10-13° so were pretty proud of that with lacking any heating, only blocking the Arctic winds with chopped tree segments and hay walls. But not enough to fight those previous -8°. Some got the paleness frostbite and I'm looking to get some petroleum and cover them, hoping it will insulate and warm them back up for repair. Either way, just sticking my head out and saying howdoyoudo. If you have any better recommendations, they're welcomed.

-The Hubby

Welcome to the forum!

I am against putting anything on frostbite and thats if mine get it. I had a friend who put petroleum on the combs of the chickens that got frostbite and it made the frostbite worse.
Two of my chickens got frostbite in January of last year and their combs grew back better. Thats was in the negative 25 plus with negative 20 degree windchills.
Mine have been fine in the past few weeks with no frostbite.

 

[Debbie292d]

Hello my fellow Wisconsinites! I just joined because I was given a hunny-do from the wife to check on mild frostbite remedies and I re-stumbled on this website, finally registering. Lady from my township recycling center recommended this website a while back since we got our first (6) chickens back in June (Buff Orpington and Barred Rock). It's been fun and moreso rewarding once they started laying later in November. It's been a cold week for the girls and we have the coop fighting the outside temp by 10-13° so were pretty proud of that with lacking any heating, only blocking the Arctic winds with chopped tree segments and hay walls. But not enough to fight those previous -8°. Some got the paleness frostbite and I'm looking to get some petroleum and cover them, hoping it will insulate and warm them back up for repair. Either way, just sticking my head out and saying howdoyoudo. If you have any better recommendations, they're welcomed.

-The Hubby

Hello, and welcome to BYC!!

Count me in with the "don't put anything on their combs."

 

[EagleEyes]

Big welcome from Southwest Wisconsin. And I'd also go along with nothing on the combs. BUT, You should start doing some research form your own opinion.
My temps and the coops VS outside are similar to yours. The difference is bigger the colder it gets. I do have a kind of enclosed run. So they get to go out there midday even if it's cold for the afternoon.

 

[TOR]

Hello my fellow Wisconsinites! I just joined because I was given a hunny-do from the wife to check on mild frostbite remedies and I re-stumbled on this website, finally registering. Lady from my township recycling center recommended this website a while back since we got our first (6) chickens back in June (Buff Orpington and Barred Rock). It's been fun and moreso rewarding once they started laying later in November. It's been a cold week for the girls and we have the coop fighting the outside temp by 10-13° so were pretty proud of that with lacking any heating, only blocking the Arctic winds with chopped tree segments and hay walls. But not enough to fight those previous -8°. Some got the paleness frostbite and I'm looking to get some petroleum and cover them, hoping it will insulate and warm them back up for repair. Either way, just sticking my head out and saying howdoyoudo. If you have any better recommendations, they're welcomed.

-The Hubby

Welcome
I dont anything to the chickens, extreme cold they may get frostbite, it will heal up. Aside I dont like to try handle the chickens when it real cold, specially if they are puffed up.
I give extra water because it freezes.
I do give extra corn, throw some out. Corn is energy.

 

[TOR]

Big welcome from Southwest Wisconsin. And I'd also go along with nothing on the combs. BUT, You should start doing some research form your own opinion.
My temps and the coops VS outside are similar to yours. The difference is bigger the colder it gets. I do have a kind of enclosed run. So they get to go out there midday even if it's cold for the afternoon.

somewhere I read oatmeal and sunflower seed
From my studies not telling you what to do
10 percent sunflower is max on sunflower seed daily ration if I remember correctly very high in fat, but high in proteins and has other attributes
oatmeal (oats) 40 percent max that was from old study with laying hens and it can slow down the digestive system. There are articles by some women should never feed it, blah blah.
I use winter rye seed in my mix and max is 20 percent. From what I have read get a tray put rye seed in and let sprout and grow some and chickens love it, i have never done it, than again want to watch how much rye they eat.

 

[Amer]

20 degrees is the average Wisconsin winter temp. Cold enough to keep the snow on the ground and lakes frozen and everything looks pretty. Warm enough that I can keep the coop above freezing.
I wish it was 20 degrees all winter long.