We are considered west Texas, hill country. Our summers are over 100 degrees and dry, lasting for six months. We have years when everything is brown from heat, drought and dust. Spring and fall may or may not actually happen, and if they do it is of short duration. We get winter and some years even snow. Generally winter is a time of high winds, ice storms and freezing temperatures that last for 2-3 months.
I have always said your animals only need you in rotten weather. That is when the goats deliver and water troughs freeze over.
We are considered west Texas, hill country. Our summers are over 100 degrees and dry, lasting for six months. We have years when everything is brown from heat, drought and dust. Spring and fall may or may not actually happen, and if they do it is of short duration. We get winter and some years even snow. Generally winter is a time of high winds, ice storms and freezing temperatures that last for 2-3 months.
I have always said your animals only need you in rotten weather. That is when the goats deliver and water troughs freeze over.
Preparation is the only solution. Ours is a little ranch, but with around 100 animals of all kinds we have to plan and prepare months in advance.
So, we have oil radiant heat for the outside aviary and have wrapped the outside in 6 mil clear plastic. Last year the problem was that the aviary was getting toooo warm so we had to open sections for ventilation. This year we are using “Miami Shutters” on the south wall. They are clear plastic panels, 12 foot long that will lift up for ventilation or close against the cold. The other walls are wrapped in plastic. Our north wall is primarily concrete and supports the waterfall, which runs year round. We buried in the water supply this summer and added a non freezing faucet.
The rest of the birds are all settled in the “bird house”, with heat/air, stocked kitchen and bath. And the barn is tight and clean for the rest of the live stock.
Even if the cold does not kill you animals, it can be miserable for long period. Why not prepare in advance.
Let it freeze, I am going to bake cookies!
