Heritage Large Fowl - Phase II

[RedRidge]

We are in the upper 20s also but I didn't close up coops and pens last night. I only bother to close the doors on the coops or pull the tarp down over the front of the breeding pens if it's going to get below 20.
We are getting 5-8" of snow (maybe more) so the chickens won't venture far but it won't slow down any of the other livestock. We rarely get snow here in TN, so all animals and humans are just enjoying it.
We heat with wood so I've loaded up the inside log rack, filed all stock tanks with fresh water, put out 2 tons of hay, put bread in the oven and soup in the crockpot. F1 Rhodebars are starting to pip, so I think I will just sit back, have another cup of coffee with some homemade Baileys creamer, and enjoy the coming snow storm.
Everyone stay safe, have fun, and remember... summer's coming.

 

[3riverschick]

Sorry we're sending this stuff North in a day or so.

Glad to know u are doing well. The last 2 polar vortexes that came thru, we bedded down the birds with several days supplies and let them be. Couldn't open the coops because all the warmth would be sucked out. Even tho the water froze they were fine, except for some frostbite on combs. It won't be as cold at your place.
Take care, be safe. Don't risk the ice. Make sure if anyone does go out ,to layer your head with multiple hoods so if anyone falls, no concussion.
Best,
Karen

 

[NanaKat]

Spent part of this morning candling and placing eggs in the incubators. I pulled all eggs with "cold" written on them because when I candled, most of those did not show any growth.
We are looking at a week of temps in the 60 and 70s during the day...after weeks of frozen water tubs and snow. Perhaps those eggs collected will grow. Sure would like to get some chicks from the test pens to see how chick color will be.
So ready for this break in Mother Nature's circular dance with Old Man Winter!!!.

Those of you facing this latest huge storm in the south and east coast, stay inside and may your flocks stay warm.

 

[gjensen]

Seen enough winter for where we are to be an equivalent to four. I have had enough. There is a reason I live in the south. Keep going like this, and I will head farther south, LOL.
Still have a ways to go.

Next week looks nice.

 

[Vamvakas]

A nice 6-10 inches of snow coming in the next few hours. Global warming is effecting much..

Oh wait..

 

[Vamvakas]

The biggest thing I laugh at when people rush the supermarkets day before a snow storm.. Don't people have food for 1-2 days of food before then storm? Americans have a system to think they need food before a storm and stock up and act like they don't have food in the fridge.

 

[gjensen]

We have to be careful about ice here. The south is not set up for this stuff. No one is going to pay for the equipment to sit for years.

If we are not prepared, we could get caught without power for a week. Then if you are in the country, your road might not get cleaned for a while. There is a lot of trees/power lines in the road today in this state.

 

[chickadoodles]

A few of my roosters now have some frost bite on their combs. There is black on the edging of the tips. What will be the long term effects for the roosters? I did coat the combs with petroleum jelly. I had a heat lamp on in the coop to try to help keep them warm. But Alabama is not used to snow and all this cold!

 

[Lacy Blues]

I've been told that castor oil will do wonders for the frostbite, make it so its not so severe and they heal up quick.

 

[chickadoodles]

I've been told that castor oil will do wonders for the frostbite, make it so its not so severe and they heal up quick.

Thanks I will have to pick some up. Does the frostbite affect the roosters fertility? I read somewhere it did.