It's cold out, and I need to adjust to bird #s & problems

[drumstick diva]

Could you house your birds closer to you, like in the garage, so you don't have to hike far to take care of them?

I'm not going to jump on you, even tho as a very young child I was probably the only kid who said "I promise if I have dogs I will take care of them," and then actually kept my word.

When I got older and worked, as soon as I got home I would be out taking care of their needs before I got to eat/drink or use the bathroom. the responsibilities of animal ownership always came first, my parents were desperately hoping I would give up- so they could get rid of my pets. It never happened.

I tolerate cold much better than heat because you can add layers to warm up but, there's nothing you can do to be cooler. I never had to dress in a million layers, I learned early on that wearing a face mask- warms the air you breathe and makes you feel much warmer. Some days I would be so hot, I had to take the mask off. It didn't take more than a few seconds to convince me it really was horribly cold outside, without it. It made all the difference in the world to me - to wear that small mask over nose,mouth, ears. I've gotten them for as cheap as $ 4, during seasonal sales at Kohls in the men's dept. Family and friends just cuss about the cold, they think a face mask is too lame to wear. Who cares???

Yes, I do wear gloves, coat, and a hat that many forgo because of dreaded hat hair. When you aren't suffering(from the cold, etc) chores are not nearly as bad.

 

[DinosRBirds]

Quote:
I said i got off the bus, not out of a car... lol
no cars yet...
that's an idea for later...

 

[DinosRBirds]

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thanks for the info.
I'll get the mask after the waterer if i can.
The answer to moving the birds closer is no. Its not a porta-coop, its a permanent establishment in an unfortunate location. lol i'm talking all smartish.

 

[mstricer]

I still think your ducks are playing in the water.

 

[dsqard]

If it is forgetting that is part of the problem, I would put a big sign on either side of the door you use to go in and out of the house and on both sides of your bedroom door. That way, in the morning, you will see it when you first get up and before you leave for school and in the afternoon you will see it when you come home. Also, for the lugging water. Try a bigger bucket to fill up the heated water bowl. I don't know how big the water bowl is but it can't be five gallons so you should be able to carry a bucket big enough to fill it. Good luck and stick to it. You will get the new habits down fast enough and then you won't think of it as so much of a chore. One more thing, keep up the habits even during the warmer months so it doesn't matter what time of year it is, you will be watering them the same time all the time.

 

[Stacykins]

Got a cell phone or an iPod touch? Set a daily notification to remind you to water the in the morning and when you get home from school.

I understand that it is cold. But without adequate water, they die, kind of a simple concept.

I personally don't have any heater for my water bucket. I just use a big rubber pan/dish and each morning knock the old ice block out, refill, and then do so again later in the day (or use my coop rake to pop a hole in the ice if it isn't frozen solid). Does it suck? Yea. The wind here never stops blasting since I don't have any trees to break it. But each morning I take care of the chickens before I take care of myself since they have to put up with that all day, whereas I can run inside and warm my fingers. And maybe I'm crazy, but I still spend quite a bit of time outside with my chickens, giving them treats, attention, and checking them over, even if it is waaay below freezing.

 

[DinosRBirds]

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They probably were, so when got on my phone and read your post, when I tended to the flock, I prevented that from happening again...
(Covered with a broken milk crate) maybe i'll post pictures later...
If i can remember...

 

[JodyJo]

You'll get it, just posting your first post proves you care enough about these animals to want to take care of them.

I don't know your age, its tough, but you will learn a lot about yourself by continuing on this winter with these chickens.

Whether you have 1 or 10...they need you...and I am guessing you need them...fun aren't they? Maybe not as much
when it is freezing out...but you get some happiness from them, so just remember that. They can't come running with tails wagging, but I
bet when you go out with dinner scraps or treats, they mob you! Cool feeling!

They love you! Keep it up!

 

[DinosRBirds]

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You're darn right they mob me.
They practically attack me!!

 

[JodyJo]

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You're darn right they mob me.
They practically attack me!!

Isn't that fun?! I love my girls......!!