Hurricane Advice

[Ursuline Chick]

Often many of the livestock fare better than us humans... I saw some news footage in Texas and a tree was full of guinea fowl and a few roosters chattering away.

Gotta love it!!!

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Anyone in Fort Myers and Tampa areas hold on to your hats, it's about to get serious . Best wishes for all!

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I think the quote is "hold on to your hats, it's going to be a bumpy ride" Bette Davis

 

[Ursuline Chick]

We have borrowed roofing from critters to board our windows with HD metal roofing. Tuff decision but had to.

So sorry you had to do that, I know it must have been hard, I do understand you have to do what is best for you. There are never any real right or wrong decisions in situations like this, just what is best for you and yours (unless you are looting a TV), again you are all in our prayers.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

"Terrified?" No. Stressed? Yes. I have taken care of many animals through dozens of storms (none quite this intense, I grant), and they have all been like, "Oh, good, you're here. Where's my food!??!" That's not terror. They don't understand enough to be terrified. They know it's windy, they know they are getting wet, but they do not understand the concept of a major hurricane, nor the scale of the danger they are in. Some may die of hypothermia or exhaustion, and never experience fear, because there is nothing specific for them to be afraid of.



Does that include things like rats, cockroaches, fire ants? Or just the charismatic animals?

The older I get, the less romantic I am. People are capable of understanding the concept of morality, and therefore should be governed by it. It isn't right for someone to assume responsibility for a life, and then abdicate it when it simply becomes inconvenient. I salute people who will step in and assume responsibility where others have abandoned it, but there must be some limits.

Nature doesn't care; it is governed by a different set of rules. Those that make good choices will survive long enough to pass their genes on, those that don't, won't. A free-ranging chicken will kill countless insects, reptiles, amphibians, maybe even rodents and birds in its lifetime, has anyone been praying for them?

I would hope that anyone who has taken responsibility for chickens in the Keys has done what they can to keep the birds safe (and themselves, too, of course!). The rest? Well, there will be good places to shelter somewhere, and the smart ones will find them. If someone winds up posting a picture of a dead bird, a pathetic pile of soggy feathers lying in the mud, I will feel a moment's sadness for that particular bird, but is it really any different than the same bird getting run over on the road or killed by fowl pox?

Wow, really puts things in perspective, sometimes we become so attached to our animals, we forget we are a higher order of species. That doesn't mean we don't have a fiduciary duty to our animals, just that human life should be preserved first and then beloved pets and animals. Thank you, as I know we all love and care for our animals here, and will do the best we can for them. Each having to make the decision that is best for them.

 

[Ursuline Chick]

Got this from a friend:
For my friends who can't get out of Florida -
For those of us sheltering in our homes:
Message "FLPrepares" to 888777. You will get a text response that you are registered with the State Registered Response Team. It will keep you informed and provide updates throughout the storm.
Also, message your zip code to 888777. You will receive updates specific to your zip code.
Stay safe

Florida has come up with some great new inovations in the last 13 years, since Ivan hit the panhandle!!

 

[DwayneNLiz]

Got this from a friend:
For my friends who can't get out of Florida -
For those of us sheltering in our homes:
Message "FLPrepares" to 888777. You will get a text response that you are registered with the State Registered Response Team. It will keep you informed and provide updates throughout the storm.
Also, message your zip code to 888777. You will receive updates specific to your zip code.
Stay safe

has anyone posted this to the FL threads??

 

[Ursuline Chick]

praying for everyone and all their critters in the path of Irma. My granddaughter is a primate keeper at the zoo in Naples which is now ground zero. Her last message this morning was that they had all the animals secured and the "ride out" team had taken over. She isn't leaving tho. Her sweetheart has a house a little inland that she swears has been turned into a virtual bunker and stocked up for weeks. I can only pray she is right. She has never been thru any hurricane since she was "headhunted" from the big zoo in Baton Rouge LA last year. They only had a huge flooding event there once from too much rain. Otherwise she was raised up here in the far north and went to college in Ohio. Her sister just two weeks ago moved to Orlando from her home with mom and dad in northern Ill after graduating from Columbia, to take a job at Universal. Less worried about her but still concerned. Adding Krystal and Kayra to your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

Consider it done, "Our Lady of Prompt Succor, hasten to help" all dealing with natural disasters now and in the future as they recover.

 

[barred2rock]

I think the quote is "hold on to your hats, it's going to be a bumpy ride" Bette Davis

I wasn't quoting, was just saying. Lol

 

[Ursuline Chick]

So my chickens DID NOT do well in the confinement of their garage pen, so much so that I was afraid they would injure themselves (or worse), I put them back in their coop. The winds aren't bad now, some downpours but tomorrow am is supposed to be much worse. I don't know what to do about tomorrow?? Either I leave them in their coop, which is pretty strong and secure, or chance it in the garage pen again. They really freaked out in the pen, I gave it a few hrs to see if they would calm down, but they didn't. Any ideas anyone?

My heart goes out to you, having to make this decision. How bad did they freak out, like harm themselves freak out, or normal chicken, I don't like this change, freak out? You will have to decide what is best for your birds as you know them the best. There really is no right or wrong answer, just the one you think is best at the time you have to make it. Sorry I wasn't much help, hope what ever decision you make works for your birds. Don't be too hard on yourself, you are doing your best for your birds, that's the most important thing, no matter where your birds ride out the storm or how the fair. The idea of moving them at night sounds like a good one. Good luck

 

[Ursuline Chick]

I think the quote is "hold on to your hats, it's going to be a bumpy ride" Bette Davis

Sorry, it was supposted to be a kind of joke. LOL