Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[Space Chick]

How often do you re-apply?

 

My lot were not happy about it being applied tonight, but with -12 temperatures forecast for tonight, it had to be done

[chelsea]

I've never done my girls.

 

It was minus 10 here last night and they were ok. Although if this cold snap does continue I may reconsider!

[Space Chick]

Romana had 2 small black spots on her comb so I had to get in there quickly.

 

I am amazed, as they are really well sheltered in their run.

[Eggasperated]

Are tiny black spots on the combs indication of frostbite? One of mine has these but they are very close to her head and I didn't know this could be a problem with small combs.

[emchook]

I asked about this just before Christmas and lots of people recommended not bothering ... so I havent done it since ..chooks were not impressed

I hope I have taken the right advice

[Eggasperated]

Just had a look round at pictures on web of frostbite, it mostly seems to be on tips of combs not near the head so I don't know what the black spots are on Carols comb; mind you she's so perverse she probably would get it in the wrong place, hope I'm just being paranoid .

[Redwing]

Black spots not on the tips of combs are usually the result of a well aimed peck or two so it could be coincidence

 

I only apply to my two chooks with big combs, I reapply when the comb starts to look dry and chapped again, everyone else with small combs dont get any applied

[Valkyrie]

I did Squirt and Tipsy because their combs are so huge - Tipsy liked her wattles done, Squirt was a toad. That was the other day, but all seem fine. If it freezes (unlikely at the mo) then I shall have to corner them again.

[Angels4]

I've been doing Coco since the freeze started here and she really enjoys having her comb and wattles massaged. I don't do Lucy and Ethel because of the peacomb. I did notice the other day that despite coating Coco up she has a few tips which are either black or dark with dried blood, I may have missed some spots and am more careful with my application.

I spoke to a vet he doesn't think it is frostbite, but insted thinks that her comb may have gotten damp and when she was getting a drink of water her comb stuck to the galvanized waterer, kind of like when someone sticks their tounge to a cold flagpole.

[Olly]

OUCH!

 

That's made my eyes water, Mark!

 

I've never vaselined my chooks' combs, I know some people do but it rarely gets that cold here; different if you live in a place where temperatures regularly stay below zero, I guess.

[Chook n Boo Mum]

kind of like when someone sticks their tounge to a cold flagpole.

 

Erm, personal experience there Mark

 

I hope the girlies are coping well with their extreme conditions.

 

Sha x

[Angels4]

Something one wouldn't repeat more than once.

[chick wiggle]

Well, the time came, and I applied vaseline to the girls combs and wattles tonight. i wasnt going to as it all seems such a palaver and a lot of people dont seem to bother. But I

was sat in the run this afternoon, just before their bedtime, and I happened to have MY tin of vaseline in my pocket and thought 'oh why not' . So I picked the first girl up, and started to apply, I thought she was going to fall asleep on my knee, Im sure if she could have purred, she would have! I went on to do all 11 girls and each one of them, once I started rubbing their wattles and combs seemed to love it!

Always knew my girls were wierd!

 

I need to get myself some new vaseline though !

[Jools]

Well it certainly won't hurt them ........... and as they enjoyed it so much, maybe you should make it a regular event!

[chick wiggle]

Funny, I was thinking the same, I think i will do them again tomorro night, just because they liked it

[oneyolktoanother]

put ours on 3 was'nt bothered but the one pip acted like i had insulted her and put her back on me

[gareth]

Ive been reading about the vaseline but with sub zeros for long periods I have considered bringing in my bantams at night for a bit of respite. Is this a bad idea its just three of them are frizzles so I dont think they stay warm as easily?

 

Or would they be better staying out there and staying aclimatised?