Get Ready for Winter

[CapricornFarm]

Did i mention that if you are putting up tarps, use bungee cords? Less likely to rip with a bit of spring in the lashings. Or so i have heard. Some folks put lattice up over the tarps. Hope i don't need to do that, lowes is already getting rich from all my purchases.

 

[CapricornFarm]

Two weeks tomorrow from the start of building my hoop coop, it is almost done!

 

[imnukensc]

I'm so happy I don't live farther north than I do. About the most we have to do to get ready for winter is change the comforter on the bed.

 

[CapricornFarm]

So i am getting more ready for winter by finishing up my coop.

I also added more perches to the other coop because those birds are growing up. Have to buy more tarps and bungee cords, plus metal paint. Sigh, another trip to town. Always eats up a day.

 

[They Call Me Pete]

Chicken wise I'm good to go. Horse wise no. 130 fence posts to put in, 2 run-in sheds to build and put up hay and they come home in 2 weeks

 

[CapricornFarm]

Chicken wise I'm good to go. Horse wise no. 130 fence posts to put in, 2 run-in sheds to build and put up hay and they come home in 2 weeks

This is why i probably will not get goats until spring , even though the goat shed has a roof now.

 

[drumstick diva]

NO, I am NOT ready for winter and you can't make me.

 

[CapricornFarm]

That's ok, you are perfect just the way you are.
What state of the US are you in, DD?

 

[CapricornFarm]

I planted those 6 blueberry bushes the other day, and today i planted 3 arborvite and 3 mums. Worked more on the coop. Getting very close to finishing! Two perches up and the waterer is hung. The guineas actually followed me there today when i was driving the Mule!

 

[lcwmt]

So i am getting more ready for winter by finishing up my coop. View attachment 1176222
I also added more perches to the other coop because those birds are growing up. Have to buy more tarps and bungee cords, plus metal paint. Sigh, another trip to town. Always eats up a day.

We tweaked the new coop the last day or so: added a wool cover over the north facing ventilation opening. Did this after snow came in two/three nights ago. We do not want snow in the coop or on the roosting birds! The winds can be intense and unpredictable here. Apparently our 1' roof overhang on the North face was not convincing enough.

Today was go to town day. Came home with a snow brush for the covered hoop run and a small snow scoop for the path to the coop. Also more zip ties for attaching the newest clear greenhouse tarp to the run, due to arrive Friday. Bungee cords are a must have for some things but for my shade cloth and tarps I like the outdoor quality zip ties. They are tight and manageable. I can't get a bungee through hardware cloth <G>.
AND a new hygrometer/thermometer to keep track of indoor coop humidity. It's generally dry air here but the coop is unheated. I worry about the ventilation given our wind issues.
The Bantam has begun moulting, one Buff is not going to lay (she has issues), we are getting 2-4 eggs a day even with the sub freezing temps and shorter days. These are all April pullets. I think we'll need more than 7 chickens going forward but have met with some resistance there.
We've upped the BOSS in their DLM, are looking at other ways to add protein and calories (feeding all flock with OS on the side) and would welcome suggestions.

Are we ready for Winter? Kinda sorta, maybe. We'll see what happens when it goes to 20 below.