Wow, nothing like going out with a bang. This is the most brutally cold weather I think I have ever experienced in December. January and February tend to be the coldest months in Maryland based on my recollection. It’s gonna be a rough winter if this is any indication of what’s to come.

With how quickly the temperature dropped and how cold it was going to be, I wanted to make sure my chickens had plenty of food, water and bedding. Their feathers are as thick as I’ve ever seen. I loaded up all the feeders and waterers and put extra wood shavings in the nesting boxes.

Everything went pretty well chicken-wise during the bomb cyclone.  Aside from me not knowing how to time my egg collections each day, there were no casualties.  It turned out to be a good thing that I had added extra bedding. I lost about 8 eggs to freezing and cracking and the bedding absorbed the liquid.

For the ones that were frozen solid, I tried to save them in the fridge so they could thaw but the consistency of the white and yolk was pretty strange. But, if these were the only losses, I’m not complaining.

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever else you celebrate. I don’t really think the distinctions matter. The point is the same – to slow down, cherish your family, and appreciate what is good in your.