-56.2 F !! No Joke!

[Omeletta]

We have serious weather here right now. It's only -30 C but with a wind chill it's -49 C!!

My chickens are fine, I locked them in their coop (which is really small and insulated) and have a heat lamp on. DH was worried and checked them at 5am. Said they were toasty. But one of my kids let 1 of our cats out, and about 3/4 in at the top is turning black. Anybody know any help we can give him? I'll also post in emergencies.

We have never had it this cold before that I can remember! Here's a link....

http://www.weatheroffice.gc.ca/city/pages/ab-69_metric_e.html

Copy and paste if you want to see. Wow.

I also have rabbits in hutches outside! We covered their openings with thick towels, anyone else have advice?

Tanya

 

[arlee453]

Move....Far Away. In a Southerly direction!

 

[Buster]

I would try to make sure that your rabbits are at least insulated from the wind. About the cat, mine had frostbite as a kitten and now she has rounded ears. I'm thinking that's why the 3/4 is turning black. You should probably treat the cat for frostbite if that is the case.

 

[WriterofWords]

A heater!

 

[jeaucamom]

I can't even wrap my mind around how cold that is!!! Us silly Californians think we are freezing when it gets down in the 30's LOL. I'll be thinking warm, toasty, hot chocolatey thought towards you! And sorry I don't have any advice for your animals hopefully someone with more experience will be here soon. Good luck, Suz

 

[Omeletta]

Thanks alot, everyone. We knew we were getting a storm, but didn't know about the wind chill. I'll be going out to do chores, and check on everyone again. If my cats ears are like that after being out for a few hrs, my poor rabbits? I'll post a pic of my cat, maybe someone can help?

Tanya

 

[Buster]

Omletta- your rabbits will fare better than your cat because they have been conditioned to the cold by not being inside like your cat. Much in the same way as Californians freeze to death in Idaho when it's 40 degrees in May and I am wearing shorts by then.

The biggest thing with your rabbits will be to keep them out of the wind.

 

[chickbea]

Is it possible to move the bunnies into a garage or some kind of sheltered area? Don't move them in where there is heat, as that is too much of a temperature change, but they do need to be out of the wind. A huge pile of hay to snuggle into would also be good.
My cat frostbit the top of her ears once, and they sort of atrophied away. However, my sister found a barncat once who had been frostbitten severely, and his ears had become infected. I would keep a close eye on kitty - if it starts looking bad you'll have to go to the vet.

 

[Omeletta]

Thanks Jared and Chickbea. The rabbits are doing OK, they are out of the wind, and the openings are covered, they look stressed, but they appear good, feet are fine, and their ears are healthy.

Thanks also for the cat info, my poor baby!

Now I know why the U.S. thinks we drive around in dogsleds and live in an igloo (that might be warmer!)

Tanya

 

[MTtroutwithwings]

Hi Tanya!
WOW! I thought it was cold here! We're only -9 with a wind chill of -30
I can't even imagine -56! Last weekend we were at -21 with WC @-40, I think maybe we're sharing the same storm system??? What was your weather like last weekend?
Lori