Coffee anyone ?

[Skiesblue]

@Skiesblue in February 2021, we lived in Lindale north of Tyler. My barn was a lean to roof othe side of a portable building. 24 feee long, 20 feet deep, open on 3 sides. Snowmeggdon hit! 2 or 3 ice storms, a foot of snow and MINUS SIX DEGREES.

I had 15 baby lambs. I deep bedded with lots of hay, every day and they snuggled down. The sides were cow panels, I put cardboard on one side to block wind. It took me 3 hours twice a day to take care of animals, carrying buckets of boiling hot water to melt ice in water buckets.

Here is a link to my 2021 lambing thread. You can see my lack of a barn, the snow blown in it, and all the lambs thrived.

Baymule’s 2021 Lambing

Everyone dealing with freezing temps, don’t shoot me but can you post a snow pic. I’ve been wanting a few days of snow. Bay, I don’t envy you. That sounds downright awful. I live in the Atlanta area and grew up in Savannah. Snow remains a novelty to me. :hide We have warmed back up...

www.backyardherds.com

If you can go get some hog panels, they make good pens.

I’d say your barn and lamb accommodations are way better than what I had- and all mine survived. You can do this. I promise.

Thanks for the encouragement. Some of my sheep are skimpy in the fleece department and somehow I’ve never lambed in prolonged cold weather. I’m hoping the cattle tubs in the barn with 64 adult sheep won’t freeze much or for long. I tacked doubled 3.5 mil on the windows with plywood of questionable character on the outside. The doorway has been covered (see photo). Lows in the single digits and high winds yikes!

 

[Skiesblue]

 

[SageHill]

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Though I’m not a cold weather person - that looks pretty darned good.

 

[SageHill]

Had to do a sort to get the right sheep into the pasture. Obi has a sore toe (slipped pad) and Zo is doing the ranch work.
Soooo Zo and his first lamb. (missed the very cute and very sweet nose to nose pic).

 

[Baymule]

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That barn is fabulous. Big, a roof, windows are covered, door is covered. Do some deep bedding with hay or straw or pine shavings.

You can bust ice with a shovel. How far is barn from house? Can you carry a 5 gallon bucket half full of boiling hot water to pour on ice? It takes awhile, but what else do you have to do? It ain’t like you’re gonna go on a road trip on iced roads.

 

[Skiesblue]

Can carry 5 but slowly. Rotator cuffs. I would rather stage water in the barn and dole it out as necessary. I know the outside bunks will freeze to the bottom with this cold snap. Hubbs may or may not be present due to work/family travel. Severe thunderstorms tonight possible so we’ll see if the girly amount of staples will hold the plastic. (By girly I mean if one is good three are better).

 

[Skiesblue]

Just thought if I get in a water jam I could herd them to a pond. Would be a cluster with lambs. I cornered the market on Timmys this time.

 

[Poka_Doodle]

Random checkin. Really not sure what day it is at this point. Been staying late every other night for something. Having fun with stock show stuff, but it is a lot of long, tiring days.

 

[Mini Horses]

Their body heat will keep temps up some. Keep a hammer to break ice. I could slide my gallon jugs, lids on, roped together and pull. That's some double cold temps!!

Since I JUST saw this, putting link on here for you TX people....sorry guys. It'll swing my way, maybe not AS cold

KLBK | KAMC | EverythingLubbock.com

Well. Not a link but great map of frigid temps!

Tomorrow is pick up tiller day...outta here early, 3hr drive. Wanna be home before dark.

 

[Skiesblue]

One problem is buildings are generally designed to keep animals shaded and cool. No insulation and gaps between walls and roofs to let heat out. Heat is usually the problem. I left some gaps so the barn will hopefully not become Blue’s amoniatorium. Three more lambs born tonight. 19 total. 16 under three days old.