[MadDog]

NW La it is 9 degrees at daybreak. Power was out for a couple of hours when front pushed thru yesterday. Wood stove kept house warm. Chickens have heat lamps and brooder had heat lamp and heater. Horses had blankets. Pigs had shelters and their body fat…they seemed to enjoy the weather. Cattle esp calves had to burn calories to stay warm….wind was tough so they found wind breaks. Our faucet drip emitters kept water lines from freezing. Wind was tough…wind chill was near 0 degrees.

[MadDog]

Living Traditions channel discussed this today. To summarize…down size livestock first. Many of us carry more livestock than we need. Cattle: Bull and two cows, two diary cows, min number laying hens with a rooster (8 for us), no hogs, etc. Grow feed corn for remaining livestock and use pasture rotation to have standing grass instead of hay (for us in the south). Other topics were water supply, lack of fuel for equipment and tractor, electrical alternates. Also we will have to do without items that will not grow in our area: wheat, rice, etc. We will have to revert to living as if we were in the 1800’s.

[MadDog]

We have a 4 prong approach: 1 year in freezer, 1 year canned, Spring and Fall garden, and livestock (cattle, hogs, and chickens (meat and laying).

[MadDog]

Had first frost and all that is left of fall garden is under the net: cabbage, cauliflower, Brussel sprouts, and Swiss chard.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 2 months ago by  MadDog.

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[MadDog]

The ranchers 250 miles south of me can buy the sugar cane because it is grown there. Too far for me to haul. I had friends in SE La find hay for me at $40/bale and I picked up enough to feed in Jan and Feb.

[MadDog]

@StrongAsOak I read your post and it was well written and not a confrontational or instigating type of message. You just hit a sore spot. Let it go and let’s move on.

[MadDog]

Go to Member Search under the home screen’s pull down menu in upper left. Type in Danny and he will show up.

• This reply was modified 2 years, 3 months ago by  MadDog.

[MadDog]

You turn the faucet on full and it only let’s out drops. We insulate up to faucet and then cover faucet. Worked for us. It will work as long as you have water pressure. I think I bought on ebay….like a dozen for a few dollars. I will find link and send to you.

[MadDog]

Thanks.

[MadDog]

You are ready! My wife and I adjusted to no A C by living on the east coast of Nicaragua and on Corn Island for 6 months out of the year (we installed and maintained water purification equipment and taught water well drilling). Our bodies adjusted to no AC so much that when we would return to USA we would freeze on the planes, restaurants, and people’s homes! We did use fans at night…one for average night and two for really hot nights. Living there helped us adapt to a simpler life style. We still can not tolerate places below 72 degrees.

[MadDog]

Thanks! I ordered a 2 lb sack…..my prepping urge kicked in!