Consolidated Kansas

[hardscaper87]

Thanks danz and Trish, I wanna do corn and milo fermented by themselves as I have the broiler ration fed dry free choice at all times. My thinking is not to over do the ff but more as a treat once daily.

 

[chicken danz]

Just got in from feeding and watering. Hoses were frozen even though I had blown them out last night so now I have 300 feet of hose laying in my basement thawing. I bucketed water where I had to and fed only what I had to. It's miserable out there to say the least. I feel like I need a nap after being in that cold air. Feels like a good hearty soup kind of weather this evening. I wish I were inspired to make something in particular.

 

[hardscaper87]

5 degrees here, baby cows are coming regardless

 

[Trish44]

5 degrees here, baby cows are coming regardless

Awww, I hope your babies do OK in this weather. I have two ewes due before long as well, I'm hoping they hold off for awhile yet. It sure was cold today, brrrr!

 

[Prairie Fleur]

5 degrees here, baby cows are coming regardless

So cute! I have baby goats coming in a month or so. So glad my does aren't due yet! This cold is brutal.

 

[Trish44]

I agree Prairie Fleur, I don't know the due dates for my sheep so I'm just crossing my fingers they wait a bit.

 

[zigzag45]

@chicken danz - I don't envy you being out dragging hoses around in this wind. It's brutal in the KC area.

I was happy my drinker didn't freeze over. I've tried a few things and am pretty happy with this one. In short, it's a heated bucket with poultry nipples drilled into bottom/side (actually, the other lip on the bottom so they stick out at a 45 degree angle) The drinker is in the coop, and does leak a little, but not too bad. Wasn't frozen this morning, which is pretty amazing. I also made one of the cinder block ones with a light bulb inside - kinda like the cookie tin heater for when I have babies in the shed.

On the heated bowls, I wouldn't like having to clean them out each day. That would get old quickly.

 

[hardscaper87]

Now I'm sure you bring the goats in a barn when they are going to kid? We have too many cows to bring in the barn but extra hay for bedding and they have done great so far. The proven mothers are left alone and checked twice a day, not sure for goats but you can really watch their bags and should notice when one is starting to make milk. First mothers should have extra attention paid to them

 

[chicken danz]

The heated bowls aren't that big of a deal to dump and refill but of course I keep all of my waterers outside. When I had any type of waterer in the coop itself it was a pain. When I get my building ready I will have constant on automatic waterers and I'm really looking forward to that. With luck I should never have to deal with freezing. I also have prtective covers for the new waterers which I hope will keep the trash out of them. I have a large heater that will be on a thermostat and set to kick on just above freezing. Hopefully it won't have to operate all that often except in weather like we are having now.
I haven't been out yet today. I'm feeling pretty punk with the wind blowing allergens all over. I need to drag those hoses up out of the basement and get every one a good fresh water supply. Just not looking forward to being out in that wind.

 

[chicken danz]

hardscaper I found when I had goats that they would always have them on the coldest night of the winter or the hottest day of the summer!!!! I agree to watch those new mothers. I lost my favorite goat when she had a baby too big for her still small reproductive system. Even with vet intervention she didn't make it and neither did the baby.