Had a scare tonight (down into single digits F tonight: @ -14C). (Crystal clear skies, too) Got home from work, already mostly dark, sent kid out to close coop.....kid comes back: "the crested one is missing." layer up, grab flashlight, head out. She's hunkered down next to the solar powered motion spot light on open ground (less than 10 feet from the hatch). Breathing, cold, tucked her inside my wrap with me. Back into coop. Waterer has liquid water in it (iced top/sides), but nipples are frozen. Kid takes it in to thaw/refill. I'm standing in coop, most of flock on roosts/tucked into nest boxes, Thing in arms. She's quiet (dark, cold, combo?) Tucked head inside against my shoulder and settled in to perch on my arm under her (helping warm her feet). (Major cuddles NEVER happen). Took advantage to check combs. Jessica busy settling her feathers (and trying to burrow her head under Cheetah, who's firmly trying to sleep). Nellie has the biggest comb, followed by Blanche and Splash. No one willing to tolerate that kind of inspection (normal for them and seem fine) Number of tucked/burrowed heads into feathers went up dramatically (had been 1-2) now more than half, including Twirp with the only pea comb, but none of the rose comb birds. Water came back. Set Thing down, placed water back in spot, lowered lamp. Thing went for food first, not water, and was feeling toasty warm against me. Coldest night yet this year. Tomorrow, coop will stay closed (checking water) until temps up into teens, likely close early too. currently, all present and accounted for, fluffed up to double sized, and sleeping. (Storm now 20 weeks, no eggs yet but not expecting with the cold, and perched on roost not in nest box like normal)
Castor also tucked up in his house. Tried putting his food dish inside.....NO! Must keep at least 1 foot outside on the ground to eat. (Silly cat)
That is scary. Glad you found her. How is she doing?
 
Had a scare tonight (down into single digits F tonight: @ -14C). (Crystal clear skies, too) Got home from work, already mostly dark, sent kid out to close coop.....kid comes back: "the crested one is missing." layer up, grab flashlight, head out. She's hunkered down next to the solar powered motion spot light on open ground (less than 10 feet from the hatch). Breathing, cold, tucked her inside my wrap with me. Back into coop. Waterer has liquid water in it (iced top/sides), but nipples are frozen. Kid takes it in to thaw/refill. I'm standing in coop, most of flock on roosts/tucked into nest boxes, Thing in arms. She's quiet (dark, cold, combo?) Tucked head inside against my shoulder and settled in to perch on my arm under her (helping warm her feet). (Major cuddles NEVER happen). Took advantage to check combs. Jessica busy settling her feathers (and trying to burrow her head under Cheetah, who's firmly trying to sleep). Nellie has the biggest comb, followed by Blanche and Splash. No one willing to tolerate that kind of inspection (normal for them and seem fine) Number of tucked/burrowed heads into feathers went up dramatically (had been 1-2) now more than half, including Twirp with the only pea comb, but none of the rose comb birds. Water came back. Set Thing down, placed water back in spot, lowered lamp. Thing went for food first, not water, and was feeling toasty warm against me. Coldest night yet this year. Tomorrow, coop will stay closed (checking water) until temps up into teens, likely close early too. currently, all present and accounted for, fluffed up to double sized, and sleeping. (Storm now 20 weeks, no eggs yet but not expecting with the cold, and perched on roost not in nest box like normal)
Castor also tucked up in his house. Tried putting his food dish inside.....NO! Must keep at least 1 foot outside on the ground to eat. (Silly cat)
Sounds chilly, what was the temp? Were r u located? Oh sorry saw temp, yes -14c chilly.

We have had three seasons here in the past month: winter spring and autumn haha. Real roller coaster ride for weather, just nuts. We lost all the snow ground thawed back to mud. Poor horses stuck up in mud in the paddock feeders.

Chickens like it though!
 
Sounds chilly, what was the temp? Were r u located? Oh sorry saw temp, yes -14c chilly.

We have had three seasons here in the past month: winter spring and autumn haha. Real roller coaster ride for weather, just nuts. We lost all the snow ground thawed back to mud. Poor horses stuck up in mud in the paddock feeders.

Chickens like it though!
It's done that here too. Saw a fire on the mountain outside town where I work last weekend. (They were working on it). Next morning: several inches of snow, gone by Monday. Now have a bit more than a dusting (less than an inch), and the temp + lack of cloud cover to keep it....but it's all dry powder, so the wind is going to snatch it.


You asked where: Montana Rockies.
 

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