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Barnyard Buddies:  Chickens and frostbite  |
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farmmilkmama
True Blue Farmgirl
2027 Posts
Amy
Central MN
USA
2027 Posts |
 Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 2:49:08 PM
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Long story short, I had the flu for the past two days. We also got our first snowfall of the year during that time, 8 inches of really wet heavy snow. The chickens didn't go out during the snowstorm, but I did let them out into their smaller fenced area (not the full yard) today just to run a bit. I just went to check on them and the roosters waddle is frostbitten. I hadn't coated them with Vaseline because the storm/flu caught me off guard. I know lots of people who have said to coat them with Vaseline and I've found just as many people who say it doesn't make a difference, they will still get frostbitten. For advice, I just called my uncle who has farmed for 50 years about twenty miles from us and he reminded me that he never lets his chickens out after the first snow because he's never found anything that prevents frostbite on those combs and wattles. Thoughts?
--* FarmMilkMama *--
Farmgirl Sister #1086
Be yourself.
Everyone else is already taken.
-Oscar Wilde
www.farmfoodmama.blogspot.com |
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sherrye
True Blue Farmgirl
3775 Posts
sherry
bend in the high desert
oregon
USA
3775 Posts |
Posted - Nov 14 2010 : 6:21:03 PM
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i have chickens who could get frost bite. they dont come out when its that cold. plus there are chickens with very small combs which helps also. my coop is comfy and is insulated. they stay in when its that cold. i am shopping for new chicks now. happy days sherrye
the learn as we go silk purse farm
farm girl #1014
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LakeOntarioFarmgirl
True Blue Farmgirl
933 Posts
Brenda
North Rose
NY
USA
933 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2010 : 4:23:00 PM
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I had heard, before we ever got chicks, that just a bare light bulb in their coop will raise the temperature enough to help prevent frostbite, and that 2 x 4's, laid flat side up for roosts will keep their feet from getting frostbite.
But, I am guessing from what you said, Amy, that your chickens got frostbite from being outside in the cold? Hmmm, I have heard about using vaseline on their combs, but I didn't realize that they could get frostbite from being out in their runs.
I guess I will have to rethink about how much to let them out when it's really cold.
Is your poor rooster okay? Does it affect them at all when their wattles freeze?
Brenda
FarmGirl # 711
"If you have made mistakes, there is always another chance for you. You may have a fresh start any moment you choose, for this thing we call 'failure' is not the falling down, but the staying down. "~ Mary Pickford
http://theviewfromhere-brenda.blogspot.com/ |
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texdane
Farmgirl Legend Chapter Leader Chapter Guru
4658 Posts
Nicole
Sandy Hook
CT
USA
4658 Posts |
Posted - Nov 15 2010 : 5:51:51 PM
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Oh wow. Lots going on. Sorry to hear you have the flu my dear friend. Thinking of you often. Wish I was closer I'd bring you some soup.
Nicole
Farmgirl Sister #1155
KNITTER, JAM-MAKER AND MOM EXTRAORDINAIRE |
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batznthebelfry
True Blue Farmgirl
1257 Posts
Michele
Athol
Ma
USA
1257 Posts |
Posted - Feb 13 2011 : 01:40:02 AM
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hello ladies/hens...this may sound odd but it will work for you...go to the drug store & get a cheap tube of arthritis cream....but not the ones that have a smell....get the odorerless...put it on the feet, legs up to the feathers, comb & wattles....it has a mild warming agent in it & it will not hurt the hens/roos even though it has asprin in it...vaseline is a problem that it coats but after a while it still allows frostbite.....as with the vaseline treatment yo may have to do this every few days if they are still wanting to be outside....as for the question of of if it effects them if their wattles freeze, yes like with us it will die off as will the comb & the biggest problem is infection...if the feet or legs frostbite you will end up with a crippled chicken who believe it or not can have the legs that are frost bit fall off. Mine refuse to go out so I am lucky that i have not had this happen but my neighbor had it happen this year when we got to -27 & decided to go play in the snow...hers like the snow mine don't...hope this helps...Michele' #2622
The Old Batz Farm |
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Barnyard Buddies: Chickens and frostbite |
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Chickens and frostbite
