In last week’s first installment of the Pathfinder’s “winterizing” column, we shared pro-tips from locals for protecting homes, hearths and energy bills in the Seeley-Swan.
Now, let’s venture to the place many Montanans care about most — outdoors — and discuss ways to winterize lawns, plants, chicken coops, livestock and more. Because as they say, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
1. Guard your gutters. When snowmelt can’t drain through your gutters, it turns to ice dams, which will wreak havoc on your roof (which you’ll also want to have inspected, to ensure it’s ready to withstand heavy snow). So, be scrupulous about eradicating leaves, water and all other debris, and consider installing gutter guards.
2. Prune trees and shrubs. A primary cause of wintertime home damage? Felled trees, which can hit your roof, house, or car (or worse, family members), resulting in potentially extensive damages and injury. And if a tree from your property falls and damages your neighbor’s property, they’ll be able to file a claim with their insurer — so make sure your insurance accounts for that very real possibility.
3. Aerate, seed and fertilize any areas of your property you mow. Grass begins to root deeper to prepare for winter’s dormant growing season — making now the perfect time to prep for a lush springtime. Before storing your mower for winter, aerate (i.e., remove plugs of soil) and weed your property, as many weeds leave behind seeds that lie dormant until temperatures drop. Promote root growth with fall fertilizer, but be careful not to use too much, as our area’s forecasted heavy-precipitation winter will cause fertilizer to deeply seep in — and keep in mind, excess nutrients common in fertilizer such as nitrogen and phosphorus can cause toxicity and seep into groundwater, threatening our waterways and ecosystems.
4. Be sure to clear your property of leaves, tree branches and pet waste to prevent grass from suffocation.
5. Turn off all outdoor spigots and detach and drain hoses.
6. Provide additional insulation for your outdoor animals. This applies to cats, chickens, cattle, sheep and goats. Fill any existing pens or shelters with straw, hay or blankets, and perhaps a small heater — just be sure you’re taking maximal safety precautions when using any electrical equipment near animals.
Potomac resident Tiffany Bodlevic-Waletsco keeps her chickens safe by creating wire mesh “cages” around heat lamp bulbs in case any bulbs come loose, and wires the lamp to screws in the coop ceiling.
“We usually don’t use a heat lamp unless we have very fragile birds or the weather gets extremely cold,” she said, pointing out that birds can typically stay warm if they’re dry and safe from wind and drafts. “Cover coop holes with anything from a board to tar paper, ensuring there’s still ventilation,” Bodlevic-Waletsco said. For livestock, build windbreaks out of straw bales or wood to protect livestock from the wind and snow and when storms are approaching, place feed near those windbreaks.
7. Bolster critters’ food and water supplies. In extreme cold, we all require more calories to maintain body conditions and stay warm (figure about 30% more at zero degrees than at above-freezing temperatures), so talk to your veterinarian to develop a winter feed plan. Use heated waterers or bowls, or break up ice regularly to prevent your animals water sources from freezing, and plan to check on their water access daily. Keep an eye on low water intake, as it’s one of the first signs of illness.
8. Give critters’ winter haircuts. Bodlovic-Waletsco trims her chickens’ feathers, pointing out that when wet, they can freeze and lead to frostbite.
“If you find a bird with frozen toes or combs,” she said, “you can help by slowly warming them — you do not want to shock their skin. Hold the appendage in your hands or against your skin in a lukewarm washcloth, or dip the toes in lukewarm water, slowly adding warmer water. It takes a bit of time but movement and blood flow will come back.”
9. Remember when it comes to critters, the real killer isn’t cold, but moisture. Be extremely wary of tracked-in snow in shelters, pens and coops, as birds especially have super sensitive respiratory systems and can die from excess moisture.
Bodlovic-Waletsco added that sudden jumps in temperatures (say, from the teens to the forties) can create moisture in coops and shelters.
“Turn off your heat lamps when the temperature jumps, and open doors for added ventilation.” And remove manure often, as it creates moisture. Basic rule here? Dry=warm.
10. Stock up on winter-grade windshield washer fluid that won’t freeze in sub-zero temperatures. This goes for tractors, snowmobiles, cars and trucks — a clear windshield is essential for safe driving in snowy, icy conditions.
Reader Comments(0)