I hate this polar vortex!

[DucksOhio]

My chickens are fine, with the exception of a frostbitten comb on a rooster, and a couple of nearly naked molters. They are in the garage. I throw scraps out to them, get them moving, put up some more stuff for them to perch on.....Anyways, I had been using Vaseline but after the frostbite I switched to Bag Balm. Maybe it will be better. It's working wonders on my skin, I've gotten such terrible dry skin from being outside so much with the birds and being really lazy about moisturizing....y'all I am just so tired. Keeping ducks and chickens takes a very special kind of crazy, doesn't it?

Yep. A special kind of crazy...that is a perfect description!

 

[Ruralhideaway]

 

[Miss Lydia]

I have vents around the top of the roof and windows[ old house windows] and on the south side keep the tops open about 10" for ventilation and keep the west and north side where wind blows through closed.

 

[Ruralhideaway]

I have vents where the structure meets the barn wall, but I'm talking 40mph winds daily on all exposed sides. So some of the eave vents had to get covered as it was actually windy in there. They are roughly covered though with air cracks about 1/2". Deep eaves but still too much wind.

Might start cutting holes into the barn itself, and more into the run. The eaves in the run are open and it's airy enough in there to stir the bedding. I think that'll be enough. No glaze of ice inside now, but the widows are just barely opaque with a tiny bit of frost.

 

[lawson1986]

I think most of us share your thoughts. I’m considering bringing my duckies indoors to the spare bedroom, but I think my husband would have a fit if I did!

Last winter my ducks were moved into our basement where they waited out the winter on account of the "cold." Mind you, I live in MD. Last year I don't remember it going below 30F , this year so far, it's been in the teens (18F today). Guess what?? Hubby asked me why I hadn't moved them to the basement yet. I was like well, they're fine obviously. I think last year was my first winter with them and I freaked out. But really they are fine. Lots of straw, good feed and boss and corn. I will say though that Everytime we open the back door, the chickens and the ducks run inside the house and we have to chase them back outside again...lol

 

[DucksOhio]

Last winter my ducks were moved into our basement where they waited out the winter on account of the "cold." Mind you, I live in MD. Last year I don't remember it going below 30F , this year so far, it's been in the teens (18F today). Guess what?? Hubby asked me why I hadn't moved them to the basement yet. I was like well, they're fine obviously. I think last year was my first winter with them and I freaked out. But really they are fine. Lots of straw, good feed and boss and corn. I will say though that Everytime we open the back door, the chickens and the ducks run inside the house and we have to chase them back outside again...lol

What incredibly lucky ducks we all have that have us all worrying so Much!

 

[DucksOhio]

Last winter my ducks were moved into our basement where they waited out the winter on account of the "cold." Mind you, I live in MD. Last year I don't remember it going below 30F , this year so far, it's been in the teens (18F today). Guess what?? Hubby asked me why I hadn't moved them to the basement yet. I was like well, they're fine obviously. I think last year was my first winter with them and I freaked out. But really they are fine. Lots of straw, good feed and boss and corn. I will say though that Everytime we open the back door, the chickens and the ducks run inside the house and we have to chase them back outside again...lol

30 degrees sounds like a heatwave right now. I’d welcome that.

 

[twilightgecko]

-23 here this morning when i got up.. my 3 chickens are managing ok.. this is the coldest i've seen it since having chickens.. i feel for them.. i keep taking them warm mash and such..

 

[onaharley]

30 degrees sounds like a heatwave right now. I’d welcome that.

Amen!!!

 

[lawson1986]

30 degrees sounds like a heatwave right now. I’d welcome that.

yes, I would also welcome back my 30f degree winter weather!!!