Hurricane coming - opinions welcome for preps

[HerdAndHome]

I'm in Atlanta and for the past month we've had dire warnings of weather only to have it spit mist for about 15 minutes. I've kind of been ignoring weather reports. My cousin in Louisiana sent me a text wishing us safety and luck so I guess I'd better pay attention to the weather reports if a Louisiana Lady is sending me "good luck" texts.
Seriously though, you're doing your best and that will be enough. I hope everyone in the path of Helene fares well.

 

[Bawkbok]

I know exactly what you're talking about!
We're surrounded by Live Oak trees, they are my absolute favorite (and the reason we moved to this part of FL).
The wide graceful canopies are matched to the layout of their root system.
Combined with the strength of the wood, that makes them tough against storms.
They used to use them to make ships, including the famous "Old Ironsides" which cannonballs tended to just bounce right off of.
Up north a bit in FL there's a town named "Live Oak". Some absolute ninnies decided to remove the Oaks from their main streets, when people complained they planted some small other Oaks... and then they were hit with a storm (I think it was a tornado). The new trees did a ton of damage as they were ripped out.

I love the Live oaks - not to be confused with the Laurel (or water) oaks. We only have one Live oak in the yard and it is severely leaning over the coop with roots exposing on the opposite side of the lean. I'm not worried about it falling because it is a live oak. But if it does, it will definitely take out the run and coop. We had to have 7 large Laurel oaks removed that were way too close and leaning toward the house and dropping limbs. We could have made 3 round trips to Belize and back for what we've spent on large laurel tree removal. Knowing what I know now about the trees here, we would not have bought this place but looked elsewhere. No wonder all the realtors down here say "buyer beware" as you're on your own when purchasing property. Not like back home, where the realtors are extremely helpful.
Best of wishes to all fellow Floridians - stay safe. Georgia, brace yourself as it appears to be headed your way as well. At least you don't have to worry about storm surge.

 

[NatJ]

A few thoughts for future, or for other people reading this thread:

I took straw like beach mats (think beach towel only you can shake the sand off) and wrapped those around the Xpens for a sense of security so they don't get freaked out by the sensory overload factor of all the junk piled up everywhere.

Chickens are not going to get freaked out by a sensory overload if the junk is just sitting in piles and not moving. If it were moving, they would be concerned about it eating them or falling on them, not about sensory overload then either.

I'll also bring in their favorite stool from the run - it's familiar and will give them a place to perch.

A place to perch is fine, but "familiar" is not going to matter much in this situation.

Here is my biggest concern of all -- the orpington and astralorp - both 5 months old, sort of go at each other, the BO chases the BA who spends her time running away...

I'm concerned with the extreme confinement, someone is really going to get hurt. I've never seen a chicken fight but I guess I'll take the actual dog crate for our dog away from him and isolate a chicken in it if needed.

You will probably not see anything that looks like a fight. You might see one cowering in the corner. The aggressor might be picking at her, or might just keep her away from the food and water. If that happens, separating is definitely the thing to do.

When you do not have enough space for them to get away from each other, sometimes it is better to just give them individual spaces, even if those spaces are small.

For example, look at the cages used at chicken shows. Here's a page with photos:
https://www.hobbyfarms.com/show-tell-a-guide-to-entering-poultry-shows/
Those chickens cannot hurt each other, will not get lonesome, and do have all their physical needs met. They may not be entirely happy, but they will be completely safe for however many days the show lasts.

Putting chickens in individual cat or dog crates is one way to get a similar effect in an emergency situation like yours.

I wish there was a chicken anxiety drug I could give them to chill them out.

I would not expect to need any drugs. You see this as a major hurricane and a big disruption. For a chicken, it will be about the same as being moved to a new home and quarantined after the move, or taken to a show or to a vet, or being put in a cage for observation with a medical condition, or many other things that we would expect them to be able to tolerate pretty well.

2) They will have no tip dog bowls inside the coop with food and water. Is there anything I can add to the water, i.e. essential oil of any kind or anything else to help with the stress level during the storm, which will last about 18 hours in terms of heavy rain and wind.

I would just provide their normal food and water. You will probably be more stressed than they will be. And if they are stressed, an unfamiliar flavor might cause them to avoid the water, which can cause new problems (dehydration).

 

[Bawkbok]

NatJ, thank you for sharing your knowledge. My worries were unfounded, thus far. The girls slept peacefully last night, ate and drank as normal this morning and are just chilling quietly. No issues with anxiety at all - well not as far as they are concerned....my happy dance as all is well, better than expected. I am new to chickens and still learning - a lot!! This is our first experience with having to bring them in the house.

I went out and picked grass, plant leaves, whatever I've noticed them eating in the yard while ranging. The BO and BA ate their salad, but our Comet showed no interest. Keeping an eye on her as she seems a little more out of sorts. Assuming it's due to the sudden and extreme change of environment and not getting out to forage early as they are accustomed to every day.

The house sounds like it's going to be ripped apart in sustained 75 mph winds. That becomes stressful. Hurricane has not arrived yet, so we'll see how it goes then.

 

[SourRoses]

I let ours out for a little while this evening hoping to get a "feathers blowing in the breeze" photo between rain showers. Wow chickens can be very solid when they want to be! Looked totally unruffled.
So into the coop they went and I left out food and water under cover (normally wouldn't for predator reasons). Just in case any conditions make it hard for us to tend them promptly in the morning.
I only had one little Jim Cantore moment while filling extra water sources just in case. Don't you hate it when wind blows up your nose and makes it hard to breathe?
It reminded me of our long-ago stay in Colorado near a mountain where there was a constant straight-line wind.
So far we haven't had any worry inducing moments.
Praying for everyone in the path tonight!

 

[DragonflyAcres]

Just popping back in to say, we are ok but it has been a tough week. The chickens are all unharmed. I hope everyone else is ok too. If anyone has the ability, please look for ways to help the NC mountain communities and other hard-hit areas.

 

[alwaystj9]

Glad you are safe & thanks for checking in!