Jump to content

Big Cold


NADman

Recommended Posts

15 minutes ago, Thaddeus Smith said:

 

Same, bud. Stay safe.

 

Latest M&M homestead update: utility power has been off since 2am Monday. The house is mostly frozen inside. We've got a generator powering oil heaters in our bedroom for pets and a heat lamp in the barn for babies that were born Friday.

 

No animal deaths so far, but it's always a possibility. Running water inside the house is no longer viable, but I'm going to try and thaw out our field faucet. Twice a day feedings is definitely taking a toll on feed supplies, but I think we've got enough to get through to thawing Temps.

 

We're able to warm up and eat, shower, etc next door, and we parked the girls overnight there so Morgan and I could focus on keeping the homestead viable through the night. They're on a different provider than us and so far haven't had any outages - so we're grateful and blessed.

 

The sunrise over our snow covered garden and barn was beautiful this morning.

Sounds like a generator needs to be in the plans for the new house.  Stay warm.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, CECAA850 said:

Sounds like a generator needs to be in the plans for the new house.  Stay warm.

 

Yup, fortunately we were able to borrow my inlaws, but definitely need to get our own. I won't go into detail and risk being scorned, but with the mains off we're able to connect the generator into the garage and power whatever what we need on the property using existing infrastructure.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

-23 at 4 am this morning, felt like -40.  I recall "feels like -30" many times in the past.  We are part of the rolling black outs, just fired everything up in the office this morning at 7 and bam, the power was out by 7:24, back on at 8, so can't complain.  Hopefully it was enough to help those without.  Its sad how everyone in the area is crying about 30-90 mins with no power when people in -15 haven't had any for a day if not longer.  Must be getting a heat wave now as it is showing 0 and feels like 0. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thaddeus

We now live in an area with quite a few cattle farms, one just across the street. The cattle are no longer roaming the pasture and are in an area that seems to keep them around bales of hay, grass? How the hell can cattle live through negative 15-20 degree temps. Being a suburban boy, I feel sorry for them. My wife is busy crocheting 75 cow blankeys - 

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, richieb said:

Thaddeus

We now live in an area with quite a few cattle farms, one just across the street. The cattle are no longer roaming the pasture and are in an area that seems to keep them around bales of hay, grass? How the hell can cattle live through negative 15-20 degree temps. Being a suburban boy, I feel sorry for them. My wife is busy crocheting 75 cow blankeys - 

They have leather jackets dummy.

  • Haha 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

33 minutes ago, richieb said:

Thaddeus

We now live in an area with quite a few cattle farms, one just across the street. The cattle are no longer roaming the pasture and are in an area that seems to keep them around bales of hay, grass? How the hell can cattle live through negative 15-20 degree temps. Being a suburban boy, I feel sorry for them. My wife is busy crocheting 75 cow blankeys - 

 

We don't give livestock nearly enough credit. They need extra feed and water for internal combustion heat. But otherwise they're resilient. Goats grow cashmere and fluff up. Birds flood their feathers and trap air pockets. Pigs pile up into a clump. Give them space out of drafts, but maintain airflow so moisture doesn't build up. 

 

We're actively heating a small stall for two goats that are less than a week old, but everyone else is relying on their natural survival tools. Some chickens will likely end up with frostbite on their combs, but that's truly minor and all of our other animals so far are acting strong, no signs of distress.

 

The hedgehogs and cats and pug, however, are more fickle and the real purpose for why we're running a generator at all for the house.

 

Also, the field faucet is thawed and we've got a source of flowing water again.

  • Like 4
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, The Dude said:

-23 at 4 am this morning, felt like -40.  I recall "feels like -30" many times in the past.  We are part of the rolling black outs, just fired everything up in the office this morning at 7 and bam, the power was out by 7:24, back on at 8, so can't complain.  Hopefully it was enough to help those without.  Its sad how everyone in the area is crying about 30-90 mins with no power when people in -15 haven't had any for a day if not longer.  Must be getting a heat wave now as it is showing 0 and feels like 0. 

 

I saw a lot of friends posting about Omaha since I lived there for a decent amount of time.  They thought I moved to cold country here up at 8k ft, just outside of Denver.  It was like 50F warmer at my house.  The beauty of a lack of atmosphere is that even when it's well below freezing, if the sun touches the snow/ice, it melts.  :)

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

29 minutes ago, Shiva said:

It seems some Texans are a bit peeved by the loss of power.

 

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9266809/Deep-freeze-paralyzes-Texas-knocks-power-grid.html

 

Yes.  A perfect storm created by record low temperature.   I've lived in this city since 1980 and never remember it getting down to 15 degrees before.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Moderators
3 hours ago, Thaddeus Smith said:

 

Yup, fortunately we were able to borrow my inlaws, but definitely need to get our own. I won't go into detail and risk being scorned, but with the mains off we're able to connect the generator into the garage and power whatever what we need on the property using existing infrastructure.

Scorned? For being prepared?

 

I have to have a Generac installed by Sept. or I'm in big trouble. Would love to hear how you are able to manage that?

 

I need mine to run AC in summer and heat in winter.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, dwilawyer said:

Scorned? For being prepared?

 

I have to have a Generac installed by Sept. or I'm in big trouble. Would love to hear how you are able to manage that?

 

I need mine to run AC in summer and heat in winter.

Best money I've ever spent.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, dwilawyer said:

. Would love to hear how you are able to manage that?

 

Easiest way to hook up a portable is to pull your meter or turn off your main breaker if you have one then hook it into your dryer connection with a jumper.  Itll do both legs of your 120 and your 240. 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
×
  • Create New...