Poultry Talk Ontario (pto.ca)

After the last horseman and his horses left the house and barn, it became very obvious that the single comb birds in the Barn "lean-to" Coop, would have to go, since without the 'horse heat" supplement the single combs would get damaged in the deep freeze days of winter.
Now that we raise Wyandottes and Ameraucanas and I try to be on top of things, there is still and occasional mishap.
Todays check, 2 Ameraucana males no problems.
Out of 4 Wyandotte males, Hamish in the brooder who uses small bird water dish and has shortish wattles no problem.
Out of remaining 3 using open black rubber dish filled to only about 1" water on very cold days, one has a small frost damage on the bottom of one of his wattles which is longer then the other, the other 2 are fine.
I think in retrospect, if we were expecting more cold days, I would just put the small bird dishes in all the rooster pens, but not completely sure that the one long wattle wouldn't get dipped in that too.

Quote from Mr Lucky "well Ladies, it may be Valentines Day but if you're looking for love you have to come to me"! No way he was moving outside the coop. Wattles good so far.

This cold snap was brutal for some of my Roos.

The light Sussex roo now has most of his comb and wattles affected.
The Hampshire roo seemed fine yesterday but he too has some on his comb and quite a bit now on his wattles.
The silver pencilled Hamburg has quite a bit on his wattles which surprised me.
The Orloff and Orloff/Hamburg are great and the Wyandotte/Sussex cockerels have a little on their wattles but seem ok.

Last winter was cold but didn't seem to affect them as much. Wonder if the wet weather prior meant more moisture around when it got really cold. I cleaned the coops before the old spell to dry it out but didn't seem to help much.

No more large comb/wattle breeds for me, too hard to see them suffer.

My chanty & Hamburg Banties all no issues , even the x bred mutts . Barn door top never closed some days they go out some they don't . Luck
Spring can come anytime now .

Chantecler's were out in the cold and blowing walking and scratching not problem.
Americauna's went out to eat and drink then eventually went back in.
Yokohomo's no problem went out then back in.
Ducks /geese went swimming and had ice on thier backs, no frostbite on feet though. The ice and water did not penetrate the feathers.
Guinea fowl decided to stay in as did the peafowl.
Baby pigeons had just finnished feathering out and mom left in the morning and back at night - no problem.
D'Uccle's some had issues and some didn't.

Americauna rooster that only has a welded wire run and a small open ended plastic shelter is the healthiest of all my birds and never gets sick. The wonders of fresh air.

Here it's definitely the Wyandottes dipping their wattles in water that creates a problem.
Still haven't come up with a solution unless I tie them on the top of their heads .
I must say, I really like the fact I don't have to worry about the Ameraucanas, since it doesn't matter what kind of watering dish they use.

my freerange Polish "tricolor" roo was walking around bumping into things because he had frozen dreadlock feathers hanging over his face... quite a sight... so i would take him into the heated tack room and blowdry his head, he got to hang out in there til i was sure he was good and dry. Let him back out - he went right to the ducks water and dunked his head again..... this went on for 2 days... who has who whipped??

LOL Sue... got a hair tie? for my silkies I use a bamboo dish on a slant so their is no water to dip the poof in.

i have one rooster with the very tip of one point slightly dark but everyone else is good to go!

I have heated dog bowl up on bricks in the main coop for our boy! He shakes his head when he's done drinking too.

Killerbunny wrote:QR_BBPOST I have heated dog bowl up on bricks in the main coop for our boy! He shakes his head when he's done drinking too.

Apparently smarter then his grandson, you may want to keep watch, the head shaking is first sign of discomfort.
Wish I could shorten their wattles, but they may not appreciate loss of their manly decor