Worried About What Time I Can Get Out to Water Them Today

[drdoolittle]

Well, with the morning temp at -9, I decided not to go out as early as I usually do to give fresh water to my chickens, ducks and geese (I normally go out at 3:30 a.m.). I'm a school-bus driver, and decided I would take care of the animals when I got done with my route-----which would mean I'd be home at about 10. Now the school-system called a 2-hr delay, which means I won't be home until 12------I'm worried that it's too long to let their watering go. But, I definately don't want to let them out before I leave---do you all think the animals will be o.k. until 12?

Just thought I'd add that I've been horribly sick for the past 4 days, and I don't want to go out there twice this morning-----the cold air on top of my congestion causes me to have an asthma attack and makes my throat feel like it's on fire.

 

[annie3001]

sorry for your situation: but could you leave several water bowls? Or have someone stop by and refill them?

 

[NottinghamChicks]

At -9deg I'm sure they are not worrying about you getting out there becasue they are cuddled up but I would definately get out as soon as you can. I personally think (and apparently you do too) that 12 is bit long to not have water. I would invest in a heated waterer or the heated tray that you put a metal watere on top of. I finally did and there is no more stress. They are pricey ($42) but there is a likn on here to make your own with a 40watt bulb and a metal cookie tin.

Good Luck!!

 

[drdoolittle]

Well, I have a heated water bucket, but the barn has no electricity, and the extension cord to the bucket only reaches to just inside the fence around the pen-----the animals are all locked up in the barn. I guess they'll be o.k.--------I actually wish the 2-hr. delay would have been posted before 5, and then I would have just called in sick---it was too late to do that by the time the called the delay. I really shouldn't even be working, but I already took Mon and Tues off, and the teachers/parents were so relieved to have me back yesterday, that I didn't want to miss anymore.

It's still very, very cold out, but maybe I should go out now and take them their water? Would the ducks and geese be fine out in this? See, I let them out of their pen (which is separate from the barn, and put 2 of my roos in that pen for the day.

 

[NottinghamChicks]

I'm sure they will be fine, but looking into getting a longer extension cord wil help your stress level. Hope you feel better soon!

 

[gettinaclue]

It's no where near that cold here, but I still have to deal with the waterer freezing.

I have 2 waterers. One is always inside so all I have to do is fill it up and take it out to the chickens in the morning. Then I bring the frozen one in. It saves me a lot of time in the morning not having to deal with the ice.

Then, when I come home in the afternoon, if the one outside is frozen, I just switch them out again.

If you don't have an extra waterer for everyone, maybe take out a pan/bowl of water in the evening, take the waterer in and take the waterer out in the morning.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[drdoolittle]

I canhandle being sick, but I wish this frigid weather and all this snow would go away! C'mon Spring!!!!!!!

Oh, I take 4 gal. milk jugs of warm/hot water out to them in the a.m., and again in the evening----and my 16-yr-old son takes 1 5 gal and 1 6 gal jug out in the evening. Plus they have the water in the heated bucket all day. I'm sure they'll be fine-----they probably don't want to get up in this weather anyway.

 

[drdoolittle]

Well, I don't have to worry after all! The schools closed! Yay!