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Friday, January 21, 2011

How Much do I Love My Chickens?

Enough to smear Vaseline on their combs so they don't get frostbitten.  That's right, I will be out in the coops tonight with my big jar of Vaseline, smooshing a nice thick coat on the combs of any unfortunate chicken with the least bit of "flamboyance" in that area.  I have been remiss during earlier periods of bitter cold and there are a few cases of some frostbite around the edges (the roosters are a little worse for wear).  While frostbitten combs won't kill a chicken, it's got to be painful and it looks like aitchdoubleell.  I just cannot describe how much fun it is to be fumbling around in the dark coop with my headlamp on, up to my wrist in cold Vaseline on one hand, struggling to maneuver tiny chicken heads with the other (it takes times like these to realize just how minuscule chicken brains must be).  Yes, I must love my chickens very much.

8 comments:

Tiggeriffic said...

Oh~! now that is a new one for me.. I can't imagine the old man up the road going out and having enough balance to do this to his chickens. Just thinking about it makes me smile.
You are a wonderful kind person. Never really thought that one had to do this to chickens.. cause baby it's cold outside.. downright freezing to the bone cold. ta ta for now from Iowa where it's -15..but it's sunny.:)

The Apple Pie Gal said...

That paints a funny picture actually! I bet your birdies love you for it though. I got a headlamp for Christmas, you just gave me new use for it.

Stay warm yourself!

Jane @ Hard Work Homestead said...

I know what you mean, there just isn't anything there. But funny how they can always figure out how to get in the one place you don't want them.

Mama Pea said...

Awww, you are truly a good chicken mommy. We've done that, too, but our present chicken house is so small, the chicken bodies seem to create enough heat that it hasn't been necessary for the past few years.

Can't you just imagine what those little birdbrains are thinking when they see you coming with your jar of Vaseline? You could run a contest to see who of your readers could come up with the funniest line from the chickens!

We have 0 degrees now at noon. That's WITH the sun shining. B-r-r-r!

Susan said...

I think the Vaseline treatment was one of the straws that broke the back of my last relationship, come to think of it. The man had no sense of humor; no sense of adventure! I might just try and get an appropriate picture hand have a caption contest, Mama Pea. Heaven only knows what y'all will come up with!!!

Erin said...

Such a good chicken mommy! Yes, frostbitten combs may be part of life sometimes, but it does indeed sound painful so if you have the time to prevent it, why not?!

APG, do you really need to find uses for a headlamp? You and my hubby need a sit-down, he pretty much never takes his off... never.... LOL!

Sue said...

This paints a funny picture in my mind!! You're a good chicken mom!
:D

Amy Dingmann said...

Aw, you are a good chicken mama! I have heard from some people that this helps a lot, and others have told me nothing helps. I think it all depends on where you live. I hope it helps for you!!