We survived the Polar Vortex of 2021

 The last couple of weeks have blended together for me. The severe cold that has hit the country hasn't helped either. Has it been two weeks? Three? Four? I don't know. 

When we were first told sub-zero temps were going to hit the area, I got working and did what I could for the rabbits.  Since the chickens have their coop, they didn't need as much extra stuff done for them.  Simply make sure they have enough food, water and no windows are wide open. 

There was one night that we felt we needed to give them supplemental heat.  That night turned out to be the coldest night.  We had a low temp of -30 degrees Fahrenheit. When I got up in the morning, it was -29.

The chickens weren't happy with this weather, of course, but they are a hardy breed,  and are best suited for this weather. 

We were sure to give them extra tidbits and scraps. 

This photo is from a week ago, or so.  It was around 10 degrees Fahrenheit and I thought they'd appreciate some fresh air.  They did. 

Unfortunately, so did a predator. We lost a chicken, maybe two.  I'm pretty sure it's a fox.  I spotted paw prints. So, no more open coop until I can get the fence closed.

The rabbits, however, I needed to be a bit more creative with. 

For Shadow and Feffer, I was wrapping their space with sheets and tarps, along with a piece of wallboard. After watching all the homesteading youtube channels, I am perfectly fine with something not being pretty, as long as it does what it needs to do.  Besides, this isn't permanent. 

Then I made sure they had plenty of hay for bedding and insulation.  They LOVED the hay. They also hollowed out themselves a little nest in the dog carrier we have for them.  From what I've observed, it's Shadow who is mostly in there.  Poor little Feffer.  He loves his Shadow, so he lets her have what she wants. 

They are both just fine.

Feffer wanted to check out the camera. 

Shadow was more interested in the carrots I brought out for them.  She had grabbed her share and ran to the back of the space. I am amazed at how they managed to flatten all the hay I tossed out there. 

Thor and Loki got a sheet draped around their run.  I was using safety pins to hold the sheet into place. I also made sure they had extra hay in their hutch. 

Every time I went out they seemed really happy to see me.  I know they were hoping I was bringing them treats, too.  

And, of course, we can't forget about Porkie.  Do you know if any other wild animal that gets his path shoveled for them?  He does.  I have no idea if he appreciates it. 

During the worst of the weather my husband set up a wind break so wind wasn't blowing straight into the space of the wood pile. 

Speaking of Porkie, here is a rare daylight shot of him.  

I've had a lot of people contact me, asking how he's doing.  He's doing all right.  He made it through the severe cold. When we'd see him, he had frost on his face.  I made sure he had access to warm water, so his insides would warm up a bit.  As always, he had his oats.  He's been showing interest in chicken feed, so we make sure he has some of that when we offer him food. 

Miss Furby, our house hen, knows how good she has it. 

Furby is so spoiled. She's been spending a lot of time next to me when I'm working. Currently she's asleep, with her beak tucked into her wing.  The temp is up outside so I don't have the wood stove going full blast.  I'm guessing she was feeling a "chill." 

How have we been faring during this cold snap?  We finally cracked into one of the holz hausen wood houses and we were pleasantly surprised with how dry the wood is.  When it's as cold as it has been, the wood stove is very hungry and the bones of the house don't seem to warm up. I'm very grateful we aren't heating with propane, or we'd been hurting. A few weeks ago the market price for propane was $2.399. I can only imagine what it is now. 

Other than filling the wood rack, there's been a lot of tv and youtube watching.  I pulled out the spinning wheel and have been working on my sweater project. 

I also (finally) made myself a little bag to hang on my spinning wheel.  It holds my oil and my spinning card measure-r thingy. 

So very pleased with how it turned out.  I've wanted one for so long.  I can't believe I waited this long to make it. I've been doing other crafting, too.  I'll save all that for another post, so this one isn't so long. 

Well, that's about all I have to say right now. 

Well, one more thing ... 

We have babies!  Chicks hatched out last week. 

Aren't they adorable?!