Wisconsin "Cheeseheads"

[wyoDreamer]

Surprise, surprise - the plastic waterer sitting on the heat mat was NOT frozen this morning. There was a little 1/2" sliver that froze on the rim for about 4", but that was an area of the waterer that the birds had pushed off the heat mat.
The weather station said we were at 9*F, so I am impressed with this heat mat. I may have to let it sit and see how cold it can get before the water freezes. Maybe not, I don't want to crack the plastic.

 

[jvls1942]

I have some hexagon 3 gallon waterers. once in awhile they would freeze solid, I never had one crack. just do not fill them all the way full.
I read/heard that hot water will freeze faster than cold water.. I never paid much attention to that, I figured the chickens would warm up a bit if they drank the warm water.
.....jiminwisc.......

since nobody has read this, I will add to it.
today we went out into the wood shop and shoveled up four large black contractor bags full of wood shavings. there are still at least two more under the planer. I am going to lay the bags over the top of where the septic tank is buried. maybe help the frost from penetrating down . Last year it froze. Don't want that again.
i used a shovelful of shavings to start the fire in the wood burner in the shop. within minutes the fire was roaring. must be lots of pitch in red pine.
we got a good amount of the floor cleared. Now I can begin to rearrange the "furniture".. make a better "flow" from machine to machine..
......jiminwisc......

 

[Bigbluefrog]

I have some hexagon 3 gallon waterers. once in awhile they would freeze solid, I never had one crack. just do not fill them all the way full.
I read/heard that hot water will freeze faster than cold water.. I never paid much attention to that, I figured the chickens would warm up a bit if they drank the warm water.
.....jiminwisc.......

since nobody has read this, I will add to it.
today we went out into the wood shop and shoveled up four large black contractor bags full of wood shavings. there are still at least two more under the planer. I am going to lay the bags over the top of where the septic tank is buried. maybe help the frost from penetrating down . Last year it froze. Don't want that again.
i used a shovelful of shavings to start the fire in the wood burner in the shop. within minutes the fire was roaring. must be lots of pitch in red pine.
we got a good amount of the floor cleared. Now I can begin to rearrange the "furniture".. make a better "flow" from machine to machine..
......jiminwisc......

Several years ago we had a deep freeze and everything froze!
Septic and plumbing. We were not here full time - now we are.
I put Rv antifreeze in the plumbing.

I have 2 heated water dishes.
The easiest is the heated dog dish.
I wipe it out dump old and add new water from a gallon of water I carry to the run.
The other heated waterer for chickens is awkward to carry- I can only fill it half way and flipping it over is challenging. I use both just for extra. Both are working great and not freezing.

I am glad it will warm up this week!

 

[bigzio]

I carry gallon waterers a couple times a day when it's really cold out....some day I'll figure something out that will be easier....I check for eggs a couple times a day, so it works out well enough for now.

bigz

 

[jvls1942]

thinking I might make a batch of cinnamon rolls. maybe put caramel and walnut topping on them. Not everybody here likes the nuts, so that is more for me..
If I have no plans today, I might just work in the shop for awhile..
I still have to drain the transmission fluid from Ollie, too.
....jiminwisc......

 

[babylady4]

Mmmmmmmmm cinnamon rolls.....

Made strawberry jam this weekend..... always nice to make jam long after the berries have been harvested. You enjoy it so much more.

Salmon Faverolles have started laying; I think they were clenching to keep those eggs in while we had all those Roos here..... they have finally relaxed!

Driving up north on Friday for the annual gun deer hunt. Hoping we snag two deer at least.....

 

[jvls1942]

good luck with the hunt, all of you hunters.
I haven't gone for a few years. don't plan on ever going again.
we have a resident doe and her one fawn.
I hope nobody pops either one of them off.
If they get the doe, the fawn won't stand much of a chance on it's own.
Today I started draining the water out of Ollie's transmission. I have the drain plug just loose enough so that water is dripping slowly but steadily. I put a pail under the drip and set up an electric heater directed toward the bottom of the transmission housing. I started the drip at about 2PM
am letting it go until tomorrow, hoping all the water will be dripped out.
Annie started scooping up more shavings in the shop area. I went and helped her. we bagged up 3 more bags. got 99% of it cleaned up. have 7 bags of it. going to lay the bags on top of the septic tank for added insulation.
Yep, too many roosters can keep the hens up tight..

 

[bigzio]

Yep, that's my current problem with this years hatch. They have to go soon, but cutting wood comes first and hunting is second, so the deed will be done in the near future for sure.
Good Luck to all the hunters…..hope the meat pole is heavy and the stories are good ones!

bigz

 

[jvls1942]

good morning, by now all you hunters must be back home with filled tags, eh?
I haven't heard any shots around here, yet.
Keeping Frankie in the house. Lost one dog to hunters years ago.
Yesterday I went to the bone & joint clinic.
my first hip replacement is set
for April 2, 2020.
..jiminwisc..

 

[babylady4]

Everyone skunked here...... saw deer but nobody could make a decent shot.

Neighbor is minding the birds...... so far so good. No casualties...... yet. with either him or the birds.....