emchook Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 I put some vaseline on the combs of the chooks this morning. I am hoping that I have not left it too late ! How often are you supposed to apply it ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 I re-apply when the conb starts to look dry again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 I have never bothered, and have never had a hen with a frost bitten comb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ain't Nobody Here Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Once . When you discover how fiddly and messy it is you'll not bother again . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 Thats a good point Egluntyne, if the hens are ones with normal sized combs they are normally ok without any vaseline Emchook I dont apply it to most of mine but have two legbars with huuuuuge combs that so do protect those as they have been getting dry and cracked since the weather turned colder And yes as ANH says it is messy, I have switched to body shop aloe balm now so its much less unpleasant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emchook Posted December 18, 2009 Author Share Posted December 18, 2009 How do you know when it is frostbitten ??? Or is it obvious ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 They often get black patches especially on the comb tips Even my legbars combs dont get frostbitten they just get dry and chapped - like our hands do when its cold Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LottieR Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 I have been doing it for the last three days on the trot! I felt bad for not doing it before. I thought they were very well behaved, especially as they are used to being handled. They won't get it done for the next couple of weeks anyway as they are going to stay at the local cattery whilst we are away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welovemarmite Posted December 18, 2009 Share Posted December 18, 2009 i did mine for the first time tonight because it is forecast to be -6 tonight. It was dark when we went out to do it so hubbie lifted the lid of the cube and i hooked the chooks out put the vaseline on. I didn't find it a problem , they were so well behaved. Our speckled hen has a huge comb so i will probably make sure i do her, even if the others don;t get done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gazzagerkin Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 They often get black patches especially on the comb tips Even my legbars combs dont get frostbitten they just get dry and chapped - like our hands do when its cold our sussex ranger has black tips now applied vaseline,,is it painfull for the chooks ,seemed ok when applying Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CluckyBucks Posted December 20, 2009 Share Posted December 20, 2009 I tried applying some to one of my girls this morning, she was having none of it xx xx Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...