Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[featherhead007]

Make sure to put a gold "R" on the cape. Fabric paint works.

I will figure out something.

 

[featherhead007]

Local rancher mentioned it as what they did for assorted dogs, cats, other animals at their place. I like it, so stole the idea. As long as the thing has a warm setting that works, it's an easy one. Yard sales, 2nd hand stores, assorted sales, more readily available than heated pet waterers, and cheaper, too. I got 2 brand new for the same price as a low end heated pet water dish.

You are frugal with your freezing, aren’t you?

 

[featherhead007]

This little town, used to have a parade and everyone would dress up their animals for Halloween . But Covid ended many functions here

 

[rural mouse]

You are frugal with your freezing, aren’t you?

When it hits 35 below F for a week EVERY winter, you plan accordingly. The week bounces around and the snow depth fluctuates too. Then there's the 40 degree daily temp swings (some days less, some more). 20F at dawn will freeze the water every time. If it gets up to 32, the water can thaw, but when everyone is away from home during the day, making sure the critters have a drink takes priority. Even the local skunk comes for water here (although the creek isn't that far off).

 

[featherhead007]

When it hits 35 below F for a week EVERY winter, you plan accordingly. The week bounces around and the snow depth fluctuates too. Then there's the 40 degree daily temp swings (some days less, some more). 20F at dawn will freeze the water every time. If it gets up to 32, the water can thaw, but when everyone is away from home during the day, making sure the critters have a drink takes priority. Even the local skunk comes for water here (although the creek isn't that far off).

And I moved from DC because I like the California weather (and chickens) better!

 

[ChicoryBlue]

My waterer in the coop is a flat-backed rubber bucket with nipples added to it. I'm using a round rubber dish for a lid (wedged into the top) so it can't vacuum seal. The cord goes to the lamp which is aimed at the bucket. Testing this out this winter.
View attachment 2880274

I can state that a lamp aimed at a rubber dish does NOT keep it from freezing AND they can kick all sorts of stuff into the dish/flip the dish. Those dishes have been relegated to catch at the bottom of the downspouts/under the water spigots around the yard.
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I've also got a couple of crockpots set to warm around to keep open water in deep winter (they mostly don't use them unless the downspout tubs are frozen).
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This one needs refilling.

Does the warming light keep the chickens up at night, or is it not in a place where they roost?

 

[featherhead007]

“I don’t care what daddy wants, I ain’t wearing no stupid cape! “ signed, Jaffar!

 

[featherhead007]

“I think my daddy has finally lost his mind. He wants me to dress up for Halloween as a ballerina! No way is that gonna happen!”
Ps”What’s a ballerina?”

 

[bgmathteach]

Now just where am I going to find a little red cape for Jaffar’s Halloween costume? I think that he’d look good going as “Superman”

Maybe a black cape?

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I think he would look better as 'Count Dracula". The pointy beak subbing for the pointy fangs!

 

[bgmathteach]

Miss I'm going to go broody working her way along one of the fence lines looking for just that right place. If she was out all day she would be laying eggs outside by now would be my bet.
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I think she is as gorgeous as you say she is determined!!