Colorado

[pichuris]

Quote:
We got snow out East. But as soon as the sun hit directly on the snow it melted.

 

[mickey328]

No snow here in our part of Ft Collins, but it was plenty chilly all day, and still is...all dull cloud cover and quite a breeze. I finally broke down and turned on the furnace this morning...I like it cool, but 62 is just a bit too cool for our taste, LOL

 

[Irie74]

Okay Colorado folks -- I need help!

We currently live in Texas, but my husband has been transferred to Denver, Colorado and we will be making the move in December!! I am terrified! I've always been a Texas gal, have had no intentions of leaving the state, and am NOT terribly fond of cold weather! But - I will just have to adapt!
My question is, what is the best way to transport our girls during the 12-14 hour drive to Denver? Obviously they will come in the vehicle with us so they temperature is regulated, but ..... Dog kennel? shavings in bottom? covered, not covered?
Also, is there anything I can do to prepare them for the change in temps? It will probably be in the 40s here in December, and we'll be going into the teens (or so I've heard)
Any other concerns I should be aware of?!


and BTW... all this talk of frost and snow is really concerning me -- I will need a full body parka to live in year round! LOL

thanks!
Rhonda

 

[kmatt87]

Okay Colorado folks -- I need help! We currently live in Texas, but my husband has been transferred to Denver, Colorado and we will be making the move in December!! I am terrified! I've always been a Texas gal, have had no intentions of leaving the state, and am NOT terribly fond of cold weather! But - I will just have to adapt! My question is, what is the best way to transport our girls during the 12-14 hour drive to Denver? Obviously they will come in the vehicle with us so they temperature is regulated, but ..... Dog kennel? shavings in bottom? covered, not covered? Also, is there anything I can do to prepare them for the change in temps? It will probably be in the 40s here in December, and we'll be going into the teens (or so I've heard) Any other concerns I should be aware of?! and BTW... all this talk of frost and snow is really concerning me -- I will need a full body parka to live in year round! LOL thanks! Rhonda

i'm not sure how to transport them since i've never had to, but make sure you check the ordinances of the city you move to. There are tons of suburbs around denver and some do not allow chickens. Others will not allow roosters.

As for you getting used to our temps, layering is a must. The actually temp may be in the teens but if you are in the sun it can feel alot warmer.

Good luck with the move!

 

[kmatt87]

No snow here in our part of Ft Collins, but it was plenty chilly all day, and still is...all dull cloud cover and quite a breeze. I finally broke down and turned on the furnace this morning...I like it cool, but 62 is just a bit too cool for our taste, LOL

i've had my wood burning fireplace going all day today and yesterday. It keeps the heat off but the house at a decent temp. I also turned our solar panels on. I have a furnace but avoid using it if i can. lol

 

[Pozees]

Okay Colorado folks -- I need help! We currently live in Texas, but my husband has been transferred to Denver, Colorado and we will be making the move in December!! I am terrified! I've always been a Texas gal, have had no intentions of leaving the state, and am NOT terribly fond of cold weather! But - I will just have to adapt! My question is, what is the best way to transport our girls during the 12-14 hour drive to Denver? Obviously they will come in the vehicle with us so they temperature is regulated, but ..... Dog kennel? shavings in bottom? covered, not covered? Also, is there anything I can do to prepare them for the change in temps? It will probably be in the 40s here in December, and we'll be going into the teens (or so I've heard) Any other concerns I should be aware of?! and BTW... all this talk of frost and snow is really concerning me -- I will need a full body parka to live in year round! LOL thanks! Rhonda

Rhonda,

Pre-welcome to Colorado! I've been here 15 years and would be hard-pressed to leave, despite the wind, altitude, and lack of humidity. There is nothing to be terrified of I think this will be a much easier transition than you anticipate. Overnight temps can be cold, but as long as your girls are in a draft-free coop they should be okay. Since you are moving in the middle of winter I might be inclined to place a heat lamp in the coop until spring, but by next year they will be well adjusted to the climate and should not need supplemental heat. The greatest obstacle for them, and for you, may be the altitude, which sometimes takes a week or so to get used to.

For travel, if someone has made such a trek with chickens I would defer to their judgment. The only animals I've traveled that distance with is dogs, who fared better with darkened quarters (sheets over crates in some cases) and stops every 4-5 hours, but they needed to potty outside their crates, so for the chickens the frequency of stops may not have as much bearing on them. In terms of nutrition and hydration, anytime you stop I would offer water brought from home, and would leave crumbles or pellets available to them throughout the trip, along with maybe a bundle of kale or chard or an ear of corn tied to a vertical in the crate so they have something to do and something to munch on, preferably something they are used to and have shown a liking for previously. There is a wealth of knowledge here and I'm sure you will receive many excellent suggestions, along with all of us worrying over your trip like cyber-mother-hens

 

[Pozees]

No snow in Pueblo, light frost this morning, sun has been out on and off since late morning. This morning's forecast indicated clouds, wind and cold moving in during the afternoon, so since today is my day to work from home and I had an eye Dr.'s appointment mid-morning, I stopped at the feed mill, PetsMart, and the produce stand before I came home. I bought bags of whole wheat and oats and a bag of cracked corn which I want to mix for scratch, and I think I might try soaking/fermenting some, and sprouting some of the wheat and oats if they will. Got alfalfa pellets for the cottontails and will probably try offering them to the girls both dry and soaked to see if they will eat them.

So as I'm typing this I'm half listening to a news program, and happened to look up as they read the following statistic:

More than half of bullying stops within 10 seconds if another child intervenes.

Some things just stop me. That, to me, is a pretty significant statistic. Completely off chicken topic I know, my apologies, I just was floored by it on so many levels.

 

[Mtn Margie]

We got an inch of snow overnight, but it is melting off. Fire is going. Chickens and horses playing with the ice in their waterers.

 

[mynamesjenelle]

So as I'm typing this I'm half listening to a news program, and happened to look up as they read the following statistic:

More than half of bullying stops within 10 seconds if another child intervenes.

Some things just stop me.  That, to me, is a pretty significant statistic.  Completely off chicken topic I know, my apologies, I just was floored by it on so many levels.

That is significant. It makes sense since lots of bullies do it to seem cool and tough to other kids. Once it's not cool anymore they back off. I feel like society needs to teach that being tough isn't worthwhile, but being kind is.

Speaking of bullies our BR is still being a little feather plucker. I feel like it's too cold to separate her from the others but I did get some pinless peepers from Buckley's Homestead supply in Old Colorado city. At 20c a pop it's worth trying at least. I hope it works without bothering her too much because she's our best layer.

We're supposed to get snow here tonight!

 

[ONSTAD1]

Yesterday I got my plucker parts!

medieval looking