Fluffy Butt Acres: Stories of our flock

[Ponypoor]

Wait. You forgot scarf, hat, gloves (sometimes two pairs).
It takes me so long to go out with food or water it is hard to fit three trips a day!

It’s so exhausting putting all that clothes on and off - and then you have to piddle!

 

[Ponypoor]

I'm originally from the NE with a few years in the Midwest, so I can handle the cold temps for a bit, but I didn't think I'd ever be trudging out 3 times/day in the sub-freezing temps to check on chickens.

5 years ago me would not believe this was happening.
Me the past few days in sub-freezing temps walking on ice to move waterers back/forth from my somewhat warmer garage:
long sleeve thermal shirt
short sleeve thermal shirt
turtle neck
thermal underwear
waterproof pants
sock liners
hiking socks
All of that goes under my standard "chicken outfit":
windbreaker
"chicken shirt" - long sleeve T for doing chicken stuff
overalls
"chicken socks" - socks for on top to minimize contaminating the house with chicken poop.
"chicken boots" - of course!

Cleates for the icy ground, don’t wear them on tiles slippery!

Trudging through hip deep snow is exhausting!

 

[RoyalChick]

It’s so exhausting putting all that clothes on and off - and then you have to piddle!

Oh you have to plan for that. Way too long to de-robe if you actually need to go!

 

[Ponypoor]

Wakey Wednesday!

I hate to get the old girl up but time to do chores.

Have a great day everyone!

 

[Pastel the Rooster]

My Mom always kept barn cats cuz the farm had gopher problems in the orchards. She fed them just enough eggs, meat, milk to keep them staying on the premises but not so much food that they might not go "hunting". I was the one as a kid who petted them & sneaked tasty food treats to them which added to their attachment to us.
c. 1950's
View attachment 4289761

I just feel bad because he was obviously an indoor cat where ever he used to live, and now no one will let him inside.
When I got home from school on Monday, he hopped up into my car. Obviously I picked him up and put him back in the ground.
He’s such a sweet boy though.
I’m feeding him his normal cat food, and a good amount, to put a bit of weight on him. He’s really skinny, poor thing. But we’re hoping that he does go after mice eventually.

 

[Ponypoor]

I make lots of construction plans in the winter. Not all of them become real but it's fun.

I know rightly!? It’s fun to make plans, I am going to plan the electrical in the barn, I need to balance the load better. Also need a new panel. My Uncle will be in element doing this

I bought a new oil filled radiator heater for the hen house, plugged it in an 5 min later fuse popped. I need to figure out what’s on that line, move stuff around. I only have a 60 amp service at the barn so balancing is crucial.

Have to keep the chookies (and me) warm!

 

[Labsandchickens8]

I'm originally from the NE with a few years in the Midwest, so I can handle the cold temps for a bit, but I didn't think I'd ever be trudging out 3 times/day in the sub-freezing temps to check on chickens.

5 years ago me would not believe this was happening.
Me the past few days in sub-freezing temps walking on ice to move waterers back/forth from my somewhat warmer garage:
long sleeve thermal shirt
short sleeve thermal shirt
turtle neck
thermal underwear
waterproof pants
sock liners
hiking socks
All of that goes under my standard "chicken outfit":
windbreaker
"chicken shirt" - long sleeve T for doing chicken stuff
overalls
"chicken socks" - socks for on top to minimize contaminating the house with chicken poop.
"chicken boots" - of course!

Same, also in Texas. First thought when everything shuts down because of icy roads is that you'll have extra time, sit by the fire, read a book and eat stew. Then reality strikes - constant trips out there to ensure they have unfrozen water, they are entertained with fresh straw, the not as smart Polish is on the roost and not sitting in the open doorway - oh yeah and grabbing eggs before they freeze.
The first day of the ice storm DH felt bad for the chickens and we went out there and wrapped more. This involved some curse words because gloves had to come off to do it, as ice particles drifted on our heads. It's definitely more warm in the fully wrapped run than out in the open, though!
That said, we dodged a bullet this year - little snow, never lost power - just ice and cold.
I am not complaining. I know so many of you deal with this all the time.

 

[Ponypoor]

About those hens picking on Mr P’s head.
Just tell those birds that you have Kentucky Fried Chicken on speed dial! If that doesn’t work, I don’t know what else to say!

I still like a helmet idea of some sort. Or as RM suggested weave his topknot feathers together - or maybe super glue them all as a big spike

 

[rural mouse]

I love castor oil... it was great on my surgery scar after the suture tape was removed by the Dr. It's not real oily so probably a nice light application to prevent/soothe frostbite comb would be healing. Our vet likes us to use Vit E oil on chickens because of it's health benefits & quickly absorbed into skin... I think castor oil would behave the same way as it quickly absorbs & doesn't stain.

Frostbite is PAINFUL. Do not touch it. Do not spread ANYTHING on it. Let it heal on its own.

Castor oil has some wonderful properties to it but NOT FOR FROSTBITE!!!!

 

[rural mouse]

I know rightly!? It’s fun to make plans, I am going to plan the electrical in the barn, I need to balance the load better. Also need a new panel. My Uncle will be in element doing this

I bought a new oil filled radiator heater for the hen house, plugged it in an 5 min later fuse popped. I need to figure out what’s on that line, move stuff around. I only have a 60 amp service at the barn so balancing is crucial.

Have to keep the chookies (and me) warm!

Sounds like your summer building project should involve increasing the amps to the barn and putting in a breaker box with multiple fuses.