Westie Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 Hi All Tonight it is going to go down to around -3c, and while I'm night too worried about my gang being cold, I'm trying to decide whether I need to try and vaseline their combs. It is said to be -1c at 9am tomorrow but then going warmer. When do others start panicking? Westie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xScrunchee Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I don't know if I would vaseline their combs to be honest. I know that some people never have and their chooks have been fine-even in freezing conditions. I can't help thinking that putting wet, sticky vaseline on their combs would make them feel colder-after all, it is wet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 it's supposed to protect them from frostbite and chapping. I've never done it and mine haven't suffered at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scooby Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 We've started putting on our girls for the past two nights. They don't seem to mind and their combs and wattles now have a very healthy glow to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I've never bothered. On the Omlet US forum, they report much lower temperatures than we ever get, and I think they start to consider it at about minus 10degrees C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lesley Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 I did it for the Whitestar when we only had 8 hens - I don't do it at all now we have over 60 birds. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
little chickadee Posted November 14, 2007 Share Posted November 14, 2007 isn't it just for breeds with really big combs you're supposed to do that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Westie Posted November 14, 2007 Author Share Posted November 14, 2007 Dear All Many thanks for the advice. It's sometimes hard to judge especially as this will be our first chucky winter. I understand the point about brids with large combs being particularly susceptable but what breed is considered to have a large comb. Have to say our girls love the porridge mix although our youngest decided it was passed her bedtime and didn't come back out for her warming supper. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 15, 2007 Share Posted November 15, 2007 If the bird's comb is big enough to flop, then the circulation in the extremities will be less effective, making it more likely to suffer from the frost. Rose comb hens like most of mine are fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard Posted November 16, 2007 Share Posted November 16, 2007 um never even thought about it to be honest. I've not had any problems, and Doris (when she was alive) and Georgie used to play in the snow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 18, 2007 Share Posted November 18, 2007 Last winter, my girls ran around the garden trying to catch the falling flakes - had me laughing! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
