Preparing for the Bitter Cold at the Farm
Here in the Northeast, temperatures are expected to hit 40-degrees Fahrenheit today, with even warmer, spring-like weather at the end of the week - very different from the below-freezing conditions and strong winds we had here just a few days ago.
It's very important to be well-prepared for any storm or drastic change in weather. Before the freezing cold last week, my outdoor grounds crew, gardeners, and stable staff worked hard to ensure everything was safe and secure. They checked that every greenhouse was well-insulated and equipped with portable heaters. They checked all the bird enclosures, making sure adequate heat spaces were accessible to all our chickens and fowl. They also made sure all the animal water systems were in good order and that my horses got a little extra hay in their feeders. Fortunately, the cold snap only lasted two days - it was back to unusually mild winter weather by the end of the weekend.
Enjoy these photos.
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- At the end of last week, the skies over my Bedford, New York farm were partly cloudy with patches of sunshine, but the forecast called for bitterly cold weather over the weekend. For anyone battling extreme weather, it’s important to have a good supply of food and water— at least for three-days, knowing where all the flashlights are kept and making sure they are equipped with fresh batteries, stocking the first aid kit, and checking that all vehicles are filled with gas – a full tank will keep the fuel line from freezing. Here at the farm, we also have to check all the animals and greenhouses.
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- I bring my horses, donkeys, and pony indoors when it is gets very cold or windy. I know they would prefer to be outdoors, but it is much safer and definitely warmer in their stalls. We expected below-zero night temperatures, so they were all brought in at the end of the day.
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- The stalls are all cleaned and filled with a little extra bedding, just to keep them cleaner until they were let out into their paddocks again.
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- All the waterers are checked. I have automatic systems so these never freeze – there is always fresh water to drink.
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- Rufus and Truman “TJ” Junior are just in from their day outside and now waiting for their afternoon meal.
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- … And so is Jude “JJ” Junior. Or maybe she’s waiting for a c-o-o-k-i-e.
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- My handsome Friesian Hylke is also safe in his stall – watching all the activities in the stable.
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- Hay is prepared in the barn shower stall. Some of the horses get their hay wet, so we soak it for about 30-minutes and then let it drain completely before feeding. We’re using our Scenic Road wheelbarrow with drain.
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- My stable crew is very mindful of the horses’ hay intake. Each feeder holds up to three flakes of hay. When they are kept indoors during the bitter cold, we give them a little extra – the eating keeps them warmer and keeps their blood circulation going.
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- In the goose enclosure, we put down bales for hay for extra bedding. My geese hate being inside. They have a shelter on the other side of the pen, but they prefer to be out and about. The hay also prevents their feet from freezing or getting stuck to any patches of ice.
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- These geese all enjoy each other’s company and like to huddle together to keep warm.
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- In the chicken coops, we make sure the Sweeter Heaters are all in working order. I use Sweeter Heaters in all the coops – they’re safe, reliable and easy to install. We got them from our friends at My Pet Chicken, a company I’ve used for many years. These Sweeter Heaters stay at or below a safer heat level, and use far less electricity – and, they’re also designed and assembled right here in the United States.
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- We also have units down low for those chickens on the ground.
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- And of course, the greenhouses are well-inspected before any drastic drop in outdoor temperature. I am fortunate to have several tropical hoop houses to keep my large collection of plants safe in the winter.
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- All the thermometers are checked – there are a few in every greenhouse. To simulate the best subtropical environment, we try to keep the temperature between 50 and 85-degrees Fahrenheit with some humidity.
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- Outside, more bales of hay are used to give the structures more insulation.
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- We also install residential door sweeps in all the areas where drafts could enter the hoop houses. The are secured vertically along the side walls.
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- Inside, The heaters hang from above and are fueled by propane…
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- … but extra portable heaters are always standing by – just in case.
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- And although it was getting more windy and cold as the day progressed, look who is out enjoying the weather – a Cooper’s Hawk. This is one of a mating pair that seems to love it here at the farm – thankfully, all my animals are safe in their fenced in enclosures. I love hawks and always enjoy seeing them around my home. We were all set for the cold – which didn’t last long, but always better to be safe than sorry…
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