Hurricanes

[dtobey]

I live in SE Texas and with a storm possible was wondering what you can do to secure your chickens. We are in between Houston & Beaumont about 90 miles inland so lots of trees.

 

[thepick4uchicks]

I live in SE Texas and with a storm possible was wondering what you can do to secure your chickens. We are in between Houston & Beaumont about 90 miles inland so lots of trees.

Hi. I understand your concern. I live in Northeastern Mississippi. We usually don’t have to worry about the serious problems from hurricanes like most people think of when they are referring to or considering the implications of hurricanes but we often get the tornadic activity that goes along with them. We also get the flooding rains from the tropical storms that they revert back into when they move inland. We also are in the “Tornado Alley” part of the U. S. We have bad storms and frequent tornadoes quite regularly really anytime of the year. It used to be Spring through Fall but now it has changed from when I was a kid and it is any season of the year. It can be dead of Winter. Our temps in December can get up to high 70’s and I have seen then ready 80+. No kiddding and have my commodes sweating from the high humidity. It is crazy. El Niño or La Niña it doesn’t matter which or if neither is in play and pardon my Espanyol I could be incorrect. Please overlook it if I made a mistake. It is not even my second language and I am not a meteorologist either!lol! As to what I would do to keep your chickens safe if you don’t have a basement I would see if you can locate a safe location that is above higher ground if flooding is a problem unless you have a safe storm shelter you could take them to in advance. Is their a local gymnasium that you could take them to at a school that would allow you to bring them into? How many birds do you have? Most places are becoming more and more lenient these days about saving lives of people and animals in hazard events. They aren’t like they used to be and turning up their noses. That is frowned upon. You might be pleasantly surprised at the help you receive. It just depends on how many birds you have and what your need is getting them above ground or to higher ground.

 

[Parront]

I liked this guy's approach to this problem. I bookmarked it, and am making my own version for our wild-fire prone area!
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-coop-small-street-legal-p.1361077/#post-22437441

 

[free range possum]

I have quite a few birds. Fire seems to be the most immediate threat here in Texas for us. So, a few squares of hay you can wet down, 2 5 gal Ozark jugs of water, tarps and a bag of chick starter in the trailer nose and the trailer pulled close to where birds are make it easier to load and haul off. Possum Kingdom had a epic fire here about 2007 and still bears the scars. I and a few neighbors had a "block party" and we discussed helping each other, when to cut fence to save cattle/horses and helping load critters and elderly relatives if somebody is at work and can't do it. June 2018 another big fire burned and I cut my neigh or fences and drove their goats, sheep and cattle away from the path with my dogs . 13 structures burned but everyone helped with large hoofstock when I got them past the danger so great full for that small discussion and the critters all are good

 

[Parront]

I have quite a few birds. Fire seems to be the most immediate threat here in Texas for us. So, a few squares of hay you can wet down, 2 5 gal Ozark jugs of water, tarps and a bag of chick starter in the trailer nose and the trailer pulled close to where birds are make it easier to load and haul off. Possum Kingdom had a epic fire here about 2007 and still bears the scars. I and a few neighbors had a "block party" and we discussed helping each other, when to cut fence to save cattle/horses and helping load critters and elderly relatives if somebody is at work and can't do it. June 2018 another big fire burned and I cut my neigh or fences and drove their goats, sheep and cattle away from the path with my dogs . 13 structures burned but everyone helped with large hoofstock when I got them past the danger so great full for that small discussion and the critters all are good

Emergency Preparedness is a community effort! Good Job!

 

[Parront]

We have lots of trees, too. My run is made with chain link fence top rails because when all the branches and HUGE limbs came down last winter, the chain link fence survived!

 

[dtobey]

Hi. I understand your concern. I live in Northeastern Mississippi. We usually don’t have to worry about the serious problems from hurricanes like most people think of when they are referring to or considering the implications of hurricanes but we often get the tornadic activity that goes along with them. We also get the flooding rains from the tropical storms that they revert back into when they move inland. We also are in the “Tornado Alley” part of the U. S. We have bad storms and frequent tornadoes quite regularly really anytime of the year. It used to be Spring through Fall but now it has changed from when I was a kid and it is any season of the year. It can be dead of Winter. Our temps in December can get up to high 70’s and I have seen then ready 80+. No kiddding and have my commodes sweating from the high humidity. It is crazy. El Niño or La Niña it doesn’t matter which or if neither is in play and pardon my Espanyol I could be incorrect. Please overlook it if I made a mistake. It is not even my second language and I am not a meteorologist either!lol! As to what I would do to keep your chickens safe if you don’t have a basement I would see if you can locate a safe location that is above higher ground if flooding is a problem unless you have a safe storm shelter you could take them to in advance. Is their a local gymnasium that you could take them to at a school that would allow you to bring them into? How many birds do you have? Most places are becoming more and more lenient these days about saving lives of people and animals in hazard events. They aren’t like they used to be and turning up their noses. That is frowned upon. You might be pleasantly surprised at the help you receive. It just depends on how many birds you have and what your need is getting them above ground or to higher ground.

 

[dtobey]

My concern are the trees and winds and / or tornadoes. Not worried about flooding. I have 39 birds (chickens & guineas) so I don’t think we can go to the school gym

 

[Parront]

My concern are the trees and winds and / or tornadoes. Not worried about flooding. I have 39 birds (chickens & guineas) so I don’t think we can go to the school gym

Exactly. This is what I have.

Tarp roof, replace it for $20.oo at Harbor Freight. Chain link top rail, industructable unless a tree trunk gives it a direct hit. You can not see the roost in this photo, it is above the tree. Wind blows through, does not blow it over.

 

[Parront]

Great for a storm, not so great for a fire. The trailer is a plan for the future. This works right now.