Surviving Minnesota!

[holm25]

Is there any critters running about? My lab/pit pup goes bonkers watching rabbit and squirrels from the window. It is her favorite thing and will watch out the windows for hours

Nope. She doesn't give a rats little behind about them. Last time I saw her like this is when I sold a bunch of Cayuga ducks to some guy. She had never acted like that with anyone else before or after that.

 

[lvie]

Are you nuts? At 10 degrees I pluck half the feathers off mine so they do not over heat!

By now Melted Viking - you can tell that certain members of this blog have been together for a long time. Its a great place to entertain yourself at and to learn alot of useful information. Welcome

 

[Bogtown Chick]

I am back from my trip to the dentist(s).

They have this racket figured out. I went to the dentist, I foolishly thought he would fix it... NOPE

He sent me to another dentist that does root canals... This tooth had a root canal 25 years ago. They did them different then and what they did fails after 30 years..

So they are going to drill a hole in the cap and redo the root canal... I asked why they did not simply take the cap off.


Because we don't do that was the answer.

Then after they drill the hole in the cap and do the "new" root canal, they will put a temporary filling in the cap...

Why do you not put a permanent filling in the cap..... "Because we don't, you go back to your regular dentist and he puts a permanent fillings, you have to go back to a regular dentist for that'..


I wish I could sell eggs like that. I am sorry I only sell the whites, you need to see X for the yolks.. Oh you want a shell on your eggs too?


BC Blackie sleeps with his head under his wing. I saw him doing that last night and it surprised me, I have never seen a rooster do that before. Of course he was sleeping right next to Ed and knew Ed would protect him.










I forgot to mention the above conversation with the "other dentist" cost me $160!

I hate the passing around bit. I mean just grow a pair and expand your skills, already. (This is a statement for the dentists Ralphie) I have a great dentist in Grand Rapids. Lisa Johnson. I've never liked a dentist like I like her. She's so dang fun...and the kids love her. She glued a cap back on for me for peanuts. I referred a friend's kid with a volleyball in the face chipped tooth and she did it for free stating, "I like kids in athletics--this one is one the house." I mean she is rare!

So glad I found this thread!

We got our first flock of three (as babies) back in May. This is our first experience with real MN winter temps. They live in a loft-style 4x4 coop without a heater or a light. I like to think it's well ventilated with little drafts, but I'm no expert.

Wondering when I should go into emergency mode - are there signs, or if it gets down to a certain temp? We have a storage room in our home where the girls can warm up, and a garage that isn't heated. We haven't implemented either of these options, and we'd like to avoid them so the girls can stay adjusted to the low temps as well as possible.

The girls seem okay. No super happy, but they come out of the coop without coaxing. They basically just stand there, but they will scratch around if I throw some treats in the run. They each had a little ice on their back this morning, but earlier posts in this thread have explained that.

Please reply and help calm a worry-wart's mind!

Welcome Melted Viking. I think you very much have the right idea already about not heating the coop. you will find me moderate on my position in that I don't like exposing my birds to -15 or less. So I've made a small investment of a Cozy Legs Heater from Target --$30 bucks. Cluckies and Erlibird on this thread also use this nice piece of winter equipment. It is low wattage (150 watts) and takes the edge off in the coop for those dreadfully bad nights. It is 3x the expense of a $10 lamp. but for $20 more I have peace of mind that my coop won't burn down and my birds won't become deconditioned to the cold. It's a middle of the road option if you want to splurge. Hens do the under the wing tuck as you've noticed. I think Birds definitely are ok in those temps bodily...it's just those fringes that get nipped without feathers. Feet/ Combs/ Wattles. I add lower roosts in the winter to avoid broken toes, feet and easy warm up spots.



I don't know my rooster roosted closer to it last night. He knew he had -24 in store for himself last night or something.

Yes, the winds down here are indeed quite wicked

I used to live near St. Charles as a kid and my Mom was from Houston. So I remember the damp cold winds and snow drifts over my head.

 

[holm25]

We are a byc family!!

 

[lvie]

Hes too chick-chick-CHICKEN!!

LOL

 

[Bogtown Chick]

"I have adopted the children from some local starving dentists and am paying their first years of college now" ~Ralphie.

Priceless....

 

[Cebarmlds]

By now Melted Viking - you can tell that certain members of this blog have been together for a long time. Its a great place to entertain yourself at and to learn alot of useful information. Welcome

Yes it can be great entertainment

BTW Welcome Meltedviking!

 

[meltedviking]

Thank you everyone for the warm welcome!

 

[meltedviking]

And for all the advice, of course!

 

[Bogtown Chick]

Honey Cinnamon Butter

1/4 cup of Raw Honey
1/4 cup Powdered Sugar
2 tsp. Cinnamon
2 sticks softened butter

Blend with Mixer. Store in refrigerator





Put on Beer Bread​