Michigan Thread - all are welcome!

[lbrykowski2011]

I bought another rubber dish, they do work well with getting the ice out easy. I got a 2 1/2gal one for the ducks and a 1 gal for the chickens. Take out 3 milk jugs of lukewarm water in the morning and late afternoon and that seems to be working good for them. A bit time consuming, I dress to the hilt cuz i don't like cold, but I'm happy to be able to be out there with them, once I get there.

 

[1muttsfan]

All the way up to 17 degrees here this afternoon, winter has definitely arrived. And can leave again anytime.

And -

Go State!

 

[snowflake]

Anyone worried about heated waterer growing bacteria? We have a homemade heated waterer, and it keeping water toastie, but I'm afraid its warm enough to breed bacteria. Should I add a few droops of bleach?

if you are using plastic waterers, with heat you can put acv(vinegar) in them ant that would help with bacteria I use it year round.

 

[snowflake]

just came in from cutting some bows and talking to a neighbor, SOOOOO cold, just about warmed up enough to go refill the waterers, I noticed they were getting low.
St. fans here , game on 2 TV's they are having a great yr.
The wind chill has to be 0 it is cold!!!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

LOL Mutts. I guess since they *might* go to the Rosebowl for the 1st time in a ton of years we can allow that for the day.
ROTFL
(I really am teasing and just kidding you!- I'm knitting a green and white afghan for crying out loud. ... please don't tell Ann Arbor or PK).

I think Opa is right about temperatures. But do remember that below freezing, bacteria growth is slowed, but absolutely can continue to grow. The danger zone begins at what, 40'F? I also think that if you're really neglecting your housekeeping duties, then you're going to have bacteria, just as you would in the summer if you did same, Altho probly not as fast. That being said, doing housekeeping is much more challenging during the cold, dark days. So I tend to stick with an every 3rd day or so with a little bit of Clorox in my 5-6 gal bucket. Maybe 1/2 to 1 teaspoon worth. My theory on it is that if we humans had issues with bacteria in our drinking water, in a pinch, it can be advisable to add I think it is something very minimal, like 50 parts per billion or something like that. Then you must let it sit-- definitely not you nor you birds should be drinking a freshly mixed solution. OK, someone who is really excellent with math and science, please chime in here. What would be the perfect formula? Plus, once again, you're probly talking a whole different ball game here with my ducks and your chickens.
Fuzzy, I love hearing from you. I don't think anyone thinks you are blathering.
Thanks for the compliments on the color combo PK & Lady. I inherited this yarn and also a vintage stitchery book that happened to have the pattern.
Glad- that winter sowing experiment last year was a huge success here except that I over- sowed and had some that I never got transplanted. Those did grow all summer in their jugs, they were just 4" tall, that's it. I had the sweetest miniature Cosmos, they were so stunted yet so darn cute. I'm going to do it again. Altho i found that recycling those plastic deals from the bakery cakes and the deli fruits worked better since they were self sealing. What was that website with the really detailed instructions and schedule.... A garden for the house or something like that?

Edited: Snowflake is spot on with the ACV suggestion. I didn't learn about that til after we thawed, but Snow is right.

 

[preciouskitty]

PK is okay with State going to Rosebowl
In fact, since MSU just locked in their play in the Big Ten Championship I can guarantee you I will be rooting for them against OHIO State!!!!
(& Michigan just blew it against Iowa, & doesn't have a snowball's .... against OSU next weekend!!!!)

As much as I enjoy having the games on while I am canning, baking or sewing, I may be a bit bummed at the outcome for a few minutes, but in the end, whether "my" team wins or loses doesn't affect my life one iota so I don't dwell on it!

I got to go see Michigan play a bowl game (Sugar Bowl in NOLA 2 years ago), so I have checked that one off my bucket list

On another note. Think I just spent the best $60 of my life. Just had 8 cords of wood delivered. They are stacking for the $60. I think I have mentioned just how much I ABHOR the cold/winter...& today is COLD!!!!
They are outside. I am comfy inside by my wood burning stove

 

[RaZ]

On another note. Think I just spent the best $60 of my life. Just had 8 cords of wood delivered. They are stacking for the $60. I think I have mentioned just how much I ABHOR the cold/winter...& today is COLD!!!!
They are outside. I am comfy inside by my wood burning stove

What a deal. What kind of wood? And is it seasoned?
I've had a nice fire going all day and it is hot as heck in here. I even have a window open.

 

[preciouskitty]

What a deal. What kind of wood? And is it seasoned?
I've had a nice fire going all day and it is hot as heck in here. I even have a window open. 

The total price was $75/cord, delivered & stacked. Yep, seasoned. Not sure type of wood (wood is in DH s job descrip, not mine ) pretty sure a mix of hard & soft based on what we got last year from the same people. Seemed to burn real good. And we use the stove for the majority of our heating; I don't really turn the thermostat over 62...

Doesn't get so warm in here that I have to open a window! I have a very open floor plan & a decent size house, so the loft upstairs gets really warm, but not so much downstairs.

I just love the stove..I even cook on top of it sometimes!

 

[HollyDuckFarmer]

How is a federal cord measured?

 

[snowflake]

8ft long 4' high ,4ft deep according to DH