Hurricane Preparation

[tsisqua]

Good morning! Here in Seminole County, Florida, were have been informed that we are now under a hurricane watch, and will most likely feel the effects of Hurricane Matthew. I live in a subdivision and have a micro-flock of four pullets that are housed in a cute, commercial coop that I don't think will stand up to hurricane force winds. In this regard, I have set up a small, makeshift coop in my tiny garage for my girls. For their safety and comfort, I put down a layer of cardboard, and covered the cardboard with hay, and have provided an old dog crate cushioned with hay so they can feel more secure. They will have a safe, dry place with dry food and fresh water during this scary period, and they will have contact with the people they have come to know as providers and protectors.

I'm sure that others are trying to find ways to protect their flocks during this difficult time. I've been through the aftermath of a tornado in February 1998 that missed our house by 300 feet, and three back to back hurricane in 2004. During those times, we only had ourselves and two miniature poodles to protect. This time, my son is grown, and we have three miniature poodles and the four, 9 week old girls. The girls need a safe place in close proximity to me and my son that is also safe from the dogs. Those problems have been solved by using a sturdy, 3' tall puppy pen with sturdy bird netting over the top to enclose the girls. The other concern is to make sure they are accessible. We could have re-housed them in the most sturdy 10' x 10' shed in the back yard, but during the height of the hurricane, we would have great difficulty checking on them, and would have no way of knowing if they were in any danger (shed structural failure, water damage, predators), until after the storm. Additionally, if we have a downed power line, we would not be able to get to that shed until the power company cleared the area! The garage was our best solution to these problems.

So please, if you have not done so, think of every scenario you can that might put your flock in harm's way during this difficult time, and give them the protection and comfort they deserve.

 

[sunflour]

Good luck and hope you, your family and flock get thru this without losses

 

[tsisqua]

Thank you for the good wishes - We'll be fine. All of us! I just hope and pray that the other people in my community who have backyard chickens are not counting on a small, commercial coop to keep their chickens safe!

 

[sunflour]

I know what you mean. A lady I know had a small coop inside her barn for the bantams. They had a severe storm - probably a tornado- come very close to her home - it ripped the roof off the barn and tossed the little coop and the coop itself was blown around and fell on and killed the bantams. She still has difficulty dealing with the loss

I have have family living in your area and most of the land is quite flat - if the rain hits the amounts predicted, is there a possibility of flooding there?

 

[tsisqua]

There is always a possibility, but this neighborhood didn't have any flooding in 2004, even after three hurricanes, and we're not in a flood zone. Glad I'm not right next to Lake Monroe or Lake Jessup, though! Prayers for your relatives here.

 

[Chelsieb]

Many prayers to you,please let us know how you fair after the storm!

 

[tsisqua]

Even though the weather is is not too bad right now - we're getting intermittent bands of rain and periods of sunshine - I decided to move the girls inside so we're not doing it in a down pour. Here's our temporary coop: a plastic puppy pen with bird netting, and a chalk board for a roof for later, to make them feel safe. I want them to get acclimated now because later it's going to screaming winds and pounding rain.



Poor, little girls are understandably freaked out, but they've started eating and drinking - That's a good sign. Not a lot of space for them, but clean, dry and comfy!

 

[sunflour]

Great job on the temporary coop. Weather Channel is showing the storm already off the south coast of FL -

I'm in Macon, and the traffic here is outrageous with the GA and S. Carolina folks coming here in the evacuation. I-16 is now one way east to west only & Hotels and Restaurant parking look totally filled up.

If you don't lose internet/power, please keep us abreast of what's going on there. Batten down the hatches

and stay safe.

 

[tsisqua]

I will definitely do that! Thank you! If this is going to be worse than 2004, we might be out of touch for a week or two, but know we're doing everything we can to be safe. LOL, even if I wanted to go to a shelter, even the ones that are pet friendly won't take 3 miniature poodles and four chickens!

 

[NanaKat]

Keeping you and yours in our prayers thru the storm and aftermath..