Turkey Talk for 2014

[chickadoodles]

I hate it when my pipes freeze. I'm from CA, and the first time I ever had frozen pipes was my first year living in SC. I had no clue why none of my faucets worked. I called the city to see if the water was turned off, and they said no. Since every faucet was dry, I assumed there was some problem between the water main and my house, so I called a plumber. When the receptionist got done laughing, she explained that my pipes were frozen and I just had to wait it out. She recommended that I listen for running water when everything thawed out, since pipes will sometimes break when the water freezes. She recommended that I leave all my faucets dripping overnight whenever the weather is expected to get below 20 degrees. So far that suggestion has worked well for me (when I remember), but I've never lived anywhere that's gotten below 5 degrees. Don't know if it works in subzero temps or not. It was down to 8 degrees for 3 nights here several weeks ago (with a high of 22 over 4 days) and it worked well through that miserable week.

If you need more water for the animals, you can always get some out of the tank of your hot water heater, or out of the toilet tanks (if you don't use the automatic bowl cleaners that sit in the tank, and there's no remnants of old ones in there -- they seem to last years after they've stopped working). Or if you still have a way to heat water, you can heat some ice from outside. Maybe DH can pickup some water from the pizza place! Sorry it's so miserable there.

Thanks Sydney Acres. I am from California but have lived here in AL. since 89. I have been going to bed early as I get so tired and wore out. DH forgot to drip the faucets and hes and old fashioned farmer and said hes not buying water.... lol So we will see how it goes, I told him that if the pipes don't thaw later he will have to go get some. He still said hes not BUYING water...

So I may have to get him to take me to BUY some.... Outside I have water in many things for most of the animals but it is all frozen today. It will thaw out by tomorrow. Just agervating

 

[abmaddox1981]

I'm in the south and getting this mess.  It didn't get as cold as they were calling for. I woke up in the middle of the night and it was 38 with a fell like -9*.  That is way to cold for this Georgia Girl.

Totally agree! I'm in central Ga and it was 9 degrees when I woke up. Gross! My husband is in some God forsaken place in Indiana. Roads are shut down an with the wind chill it's double digit negative. Bbbbrrrr

 

[Sydney Acres]

Quote:
If you have a few 5 gallon buckets with lids you might be able to have some nice person working at a business in town (anyplace with a faucet) fill them up for you for free (try the local vet hospital -- they'll understand, but if I worked anywhere and someone came in with empty buckets requesting water for their animals, I'd fill them). Or take them into a public restroom and fill them up at the sink (will need something to divert the water, since most restroom sinks aren't deep enough to hold a 5 gallon bucket, and many businesses that have sinks won't have ones that are deep enough either). If you don't already have something/anything with a lid to put water in, most hardware stores sell empty buckets, but you can often get them free at fast food places -- the pickles come in those types of buckets, and probably lots of other things. They'll smell like vinegar, but the chickens/turkeys won't care. They're also big enough for a cow to drink out of, at least the top 2-3 gallons worth. Good luck.

 

[chickadoodles]

Thanks for all the suggestions. We will do something. My DH works at the mill 2 miles from here. I hope they have water so he can bring some home.

 

[racinchickins]

It was -13 here in Indiana when I woke up. Almost all my roosters are struggling with frostbitten combs and wattles, and they are in a pen in the barn with no drafts and lots of ventilation. The turkeys spent last night outside on their perch in their run. This morning they were walking around in the snow in the run waiting for their morning treat.

But It makes sense they would do fine, since they are descended from birds originally adapted to this climate. Chickens are descended from tropical birds, so more of a struggle there.

 

[TexasLisa]

It was -13 here in Indiana when I woke up. Almost all my roosters are struggling with frostbitten combs and wattles, and they are in a pen in the barn with no drafts and lots of ventilation. The turkeys spent last night outside on their perch in their run. This morning they were walking around in the snow in the run waiting for their morning treat.

But It makes sense they would do fine, since they are descended from birds originally adapted to this climate. Chickens are descended from tropical birds, so more of a struggle there.

I was reading on another forum if you rub Castor Oil into the combs it might help get the circulation going again and they won't lose them. Our weather only got to 22 degrees last night but my two roosters were frostbit also. I am going to try the Castor Oil and hope for the best. (I was born and 'partially' raised in Indiana!) You all have been catching the weather. WHEW!!

Lisa

 

[newturkeygirl]

Hey everyone! I'm here in Texas with my Turkey Fiona and my chicken LaFawnduh (yeah, that's what the previous owners named her) we are cold too. 17 degrees here last night. They both slept in the coop with the heat lamp on. I'm rather new to all of this, like one month in new. I inherited my two loves and I never thought I would fall in love with birds. Their personalities are so funny. My Turkey is not well, I'm taking her to the vet tonight. She won't stand and her feet are swollen. I'll post later to let you know what the vet says. Here are some pictures.

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[newturkeygirl]

Here is one of Fiona

 

[lbrykowski2011]

It was -15 with -35 windchill today here in Mi. I was worried, but the birds all did great. No added heat, no insulated coop, although I have straw stacked around it outside and lots of snow around it. 1 more real cold night and then suppose to catch a break. This has been an awful winter.

 

[Sydney Acres]

Here is one of Fiona

Welcome to the turkey thread. I'm glad you're enjoying your 2 new birds. They are fun, and easy to love. Being sick, I'm sure Fiona enjoyed the heat last night. I hope everything goes well at the vet tomorrow. She looks like she's a bronze. Is she a broad breasted bronze or a heritage bronze? How old is she?