Had a rough day ... thanks for the verbal hugs!!

[BFeathered]

Ak-k-k-k-- that's me shivering! Tori, you need electrically heated clothing like motorcyclists use! (and I've actually met a few from AK!) Maybe they make miniature versions you could use on the ducks? Or maybe you should just call them dorks, and be done with it. Tell you what, point 'em toward Dallas, and I'll flag 'em down when they're overhead. It's a whole lot warmer down here (I won't be rude and say how much...). I think your dorks might get a bit of exercize being chased by my dogs, and DH might not get thrilled about the prospect of "ducks in the cement pond" (anyone see that episode of the Beverly Hillbillies?) but hey... what are neighbors for, anyway? Or leave the dorks and come down here for a vacation... plenty of room!

 

[snowydiamonds]

Its been -26 up to -11 for a while now and we really get excited about -11 ...that is pretty sad! At 3pm the wind started all of a sudden so that means a ground storm and then warming up!!!

Its finally supposed to warm up between tomorrow and this coming Monday so I'm thinking the rest of the state must be, too

Right after work, I'm nailing a tarp over the biggest coop door/wall since its on the north side where the wind is coming from and my BO flock is in the south side of that building that houses two flocks and then as it warms up, I'll have to tie it back so they don't suffer heat exhaustion

Tori, I've been keeping my five cayuga's/magpie's inside an uninsulated and unheated coop on wheels, they've only got a heat lamp directly above their water and have laid eggs for 3 weeks now, probably because of the heat lamp even though I'm using a red bulb. They haven't had problems w/the cold so far but I know if they went outside like the geese, they would, at least w/their feet. Inside they nestle in the straw and hide their legs/feet in their wings/feathers. I'm too, wondering if its best not to winter them over... I'm so glad I dubbed Brewster that last cold spell, when it was warmed up a bit for a few days before this cold spell which has lasted longer.

I'm hoping its warming up for everyone south of us since it is starting here...we all need a break!

Forgot to include there was not a decrease in eggs this time, but the eggs are all smaller! I'm using electric heaters (oil filled, sealed and adjustable, on wheels and look like old fashioned steam registers) and all coops are warm except the biggest housing the two flocks of LF.

 

[Mrs MIA]

Yeah... they are dorks. Not to be confused with my dorkings.

I don't know what's going on with these ducks, either... maybe they're faking it so the nice lady will bring them inside and give them a bath and then cuddle them in a soft fuzzy towel until the fall asleep.

I'm getting tired of animals in the bathtub. We currently have 2 rabbits, 1 broody hen, 18 coturnix, 5 bobwhites and 15 chicks residing in the garage. Plus the two ducks. *sigh*

OMG... I drove to Kenai this afternoon... it warmed up to -15F at my house before I left, and by the time I was in Kenai the thermometer on the truck said +10F!!!

It's hovering about -5, -6F right now at the house, and I did the evening rounds without my balaclava... just a hat!!

Current weather forecast here
It's still not going to be comfortable, but it will warm up at least to the 0F mark, which is fine by me. We don't get a whole lot of wind in our area, which is a blessing. When we do, though, it usually takes out the power.

We now have 6 hr 12 minutes of daylight, with tomorrow being just over 3 minutes longer...

 

[kodiakchicken]

Well, it may not be tropical, but I'd say you are finally headed for more acceptable temps. yay!!!

Our blizzard hit, although I'd barely call it a blizzard. Just more snow than we've had for awhile, a little warmer temps and wind. Big deal. The wind is the worst part.

I hear you about the birds in the garage. I've been wanting to get these older chicks out and it's just too cold!

Keep hanging in there. We're all rooting for you!

 

[luvmygirlsinAK]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

Day 12... I need to do some

snow dances to bring the clouds in, I guess... Still bringing in ducks to thaw them out... still watching like a hawk for frostbite...

when is it going to end?

Sad part is, I'm actually getting used to the temps now... -30F doesn't feel so bad anymore. I guess I'm literally and figuratively numb to it now. This was me this morning...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/uploads/6962_img_4211.jpg

Hahaha!! Toooo familiar-Tori-I just had to laugh!!! Glad to hear it's warming up for you-hope to have that soon here as well!! (Please, God, I'll do anything sound familiar to you?!!)

(Well, not anything, really!!)

 

[kodiakchicken]

Quote:
Hahaha!! Toooo familiar-Tori-I just had to laugh!!! Glad to hear it's warming up for you-hope to have that soon here as well!! (Please, God, I'll do anything sound familiar to you?!!)

(Well, not anything, really!!)

No warming up your way yet, Luvs? I heard that they were using the extended -60 temps outside Fbks as a segway on the Today show to talk about how bad the weather is in Seattle. I was hoping the whole state was seeing this warming trend.

Keep doing that snow dance and bargaining with God & Mother Nature - it'll warm up eventually.

 

[winekntrychicks]

Mrs. AK-Bird-Brain :

As is typical of NYE, I woke up with a sore throat. bleh.

I can't remember the last time I got to enjoy NYE... last year I was flat on the couch with the flu. A few years back, it was pneumonia. Good thing Hubby and I are pretty laid back for NYE.

Then I look at the thermometer... -30°F at 7am ...holy cow.

It's only 8°F in the breeder coop, so I'm sure all the water is frozen. Including any eggs the quail laid last night. Hubby's off to Anchorage for the day to pick up feed and deliver quail to someone in the Valley, so it's just me doing the morning rounds for the bunnies, ducks, chickens and gamebirds. Hubby made a comment before he left that Thumper (one of our older rabbits) should have been named something a little more masculine, because at -30F he's the only one out and about in his pen. Right... the reason he's out and about is because he expired from the cold.

So I call hubby to let him know that there is a pen available for the 20# flemish giant that we're getting in exchange for the quail. That was fun...

Then I head out to the breeders coop, and there's Chip, my extra little mille fleur d'Uccle cockerel, just sitting on the floor in the middle of the pen. He's a momma's boy, so as soon as I come in he's trying to get out of the pen and into my arms. I said "Hi Chippers!" and nothing. He's cold. He's been nudged out of the warmth of the other bodies, and he's cold. He is now sitting in a warm box soaking up warmth from the furnace. He's not looking good. It's been almost 2 hours and he still won't move without encouragement.

While Chip is warming up, I bundle back up like the Michelin Man and head out to the duck runs with warm water for them, only to discover that one of the Rouens must have tried to take a bath last night and is now dripping with icicles. Again...

She's in the bathtub, drying off after a luke-warm shower and bath.

I'm afraid to ask "What's next?"

where is Al Gore and his global warming now?????​

 

[debilorrah]

So can I go ahead and make everyone hurl? It was 58 here today with the sun shining and clear skies. Then this afternoon the breeze came up. A mild 40 mph. Tomorrow is supposed to be 60-80 mph so that is a slight wind..... But it is gorgeous here!

 

[Linda in San Diego]

Ok, let me make all of you north of me HURL (snowballs I hope).

In my town the high was 72F. My students were working on a solar heater and they got the thermometer reading in their boxes up to 135F. They were so proud!

Really, I cannot comprehend the cold many of you experience (I am a 2nd generation San Diegan!). I do know you are made of tougher stuff than I am! LOL

 

[Mrs MIA]

Quote:
But Linda... I'm a 7th generation San Diegan... and I'm here! LOL! Wondering why at the moment, but here! Trying to figure out how I can talk my hubby into letting me have another trip home to warm up... THAT ain't happenin'!

I'm sort of missing the mild winters right about now...