Be glad this isn't your weather forecast

[CovenantCreek]

Strangely enough, after 10 days in Siberia during their coldest winter on record (Jan '06), your temps still sound warm.

However, I don't think I'll be joining you up there. "North Pole", CO is about as close as I need to get.

 

[ilovemychickies]

It's 80 where I live and I'm wearing shorts and a t-shirt! Wow!

 

[Leslie In North Pole]

Quote:
They lied... it is -42, still air temp., even colder than they forecasted.

I have a lone pilgrim goose, five crazy chickens who like to hang out with ducks, 6 runner ducks, and less than 20 standard ducks who live in my first coop. They are kind of crowded and need some ice removed from their water when it is this cold but I don't give them any supplemental heat, just an energy efficient bulb for light. It has six inch insulated walls and R35 insulation in the roof and is 85sq ft. We actually get an egg or two from these crazy hens. When it gets up to zero or warmer, we let them out to play in the snow.


My second coop is 240sq ft. has laminate floors and is also unheated. It is where two pheasants (who are in an 4 by 5 cage), 8 guinea hens, 4 call drakes, 7 muscovies, 4 mule muscovies, 8 turkeys, and 60+ chickens.... It sounds crowded but that coop has lots of toys to play on, perches to rest on, nesting boxes and dark areas. Believe it or not they all get along. One turkey is laying and several hens. Their water doesn't freeze and they only have two energy efficient bulbs for light. When it gets warmer, only muscovies and turkeys want to go outside.

Originally, I was to have a third coop but my husband was unable to finish it before winter hit.

The kids spend a few minutes each day fluffing the coops and throwing scratch for the birds. We clean the coops every time we get a break in the temps, otherwise we do the deep litter method and keep it stirred.

I also have 23 courtnix quail and one bobwhite that live in the house...

Our winter has been pretty mild so far, we have only been getting into the -30's and colder for less than a week at a time. Most of the winter has been warmer than usual. That doesn't mean I like when it is this cold.

Overall temps start to rise in March with break up happening in April and May. For the last several years we have had temps has high as 70 by May 12th. Combined with winters of unusually light snow fall, it has led to some summers of horrible forest fires. The summers are gorgeous up here, the winters pristine. The weather can be very extreme but you are always 10 from nowhere here and that is priceless.