Getting Ready for Hurricane Irma

As of now, we are in the path of Hurricane Irma's ugly side (the stronger, eastern side of the storm).  Many friends and family have asked us what we are going to do about the animals.  The first consideration for everyone in Florida is whether or not to evacuate.  We are on a hill and not even near a flood zone, so we don't have to worry about flooding.  We DO have to worry about wind damage and how long the power will be out.

As many noticed in Houston, it is nearly impossible to evacuate with farm animals.  Just like the zoos, we have to have a plan for the animals and a way to shelter in place with them.  Abandoning them or turning them loose to fend for themselves is not just stupid, but illegal and potentially dangerous for other people.  (The old farmer saying:  black cow, black night = dead cow, dead driver).

http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2017/05/30/black-cow-causes-madison-county-crash/354565001/

So, the plan.  We have water, flashlights, batteries, candles, and supplies for us.  We have camping food, camp stove, non-perishable nuts, granola bars, and other goodies to eat.  We have a tent and sleeping bags, if we need them.  We have a clean bucket to use with a full bathtub so we can flush the toilet.  We have books and games and a battery operated radio.  That's pretty much all we need.  I've spent the last three days cleaning everything both in the house and outside.  I've washed all the clothes in case we cannot do laundry for awhile.  We cannot let dishes stack up, so we have paper plates, bowls, and plastic spoons.

The dogs and cats will be with us in the house.  We have a stack of towels to dry the dogs after their necessary walks and water stored for them in the garage.

The horse (Libby), pony (Maggie), donkey (Rosie), and goat (Nancy) will share stalls in the horse barn.  The stalls have adjoining paddocks, which is where the horse will probably spend most of her time.  The sad truth is that when faced with nasty blowing wind and rain, a horse would still prefer to stand outside because the barn makes scary noises in the wind.  The pony and donkey will probably spend most of their time in the stall.  Goats hate water, so the goat will also be in the stall.  Perhaps the brave goat will inspire the horse to join her.  The horse, donkey, and pony will all get a good grooming today and preventative thrush treatment.  The sheep will be curried and the goat will be brushed down.  We have emergency wound care and medicines available for all the animals.  They all have plenty of fresh hay and grain stored.

The sheep will also have their own stall and paddock in the horse barn.  They will use the stall as they hate getting wet (probably afraid they'll shrink).

The cattle will be in the innermost pasture to protect against blowing debris from neighbors and to keep three fences between them and the road.  They have stands of trees to shelter them but no barn (our new farm will have a shelter in their pasture).  We don't have any calves younger than five months or any cows due to calve any time soon.  That will make things easier.

The chickens are in a perfect Florida laying hen coop.  We used lots of wire in the design because hens tend to overheat and die in Florida during the hot, humid, summer.

However, the sideways rain will soak our poor hens, so we made a temporary coop for them in the hay barn.  We used scraps of fence, hog panels, and zip ties (amazing little invention) to create a dry coop in the hay barn stall.  It should also keep out any potential predators.   As a result, we also blocked off all escape passages for our barn cat, Bagheera.  She didn't seem at all bothered as she meowed from on top of the hay.  She has food, water, and will soon have chicken entertainment.   An old panel gate leaned against one side will serve as a roost.

We also have fifteen Ranger chicks and one little laying hen chick.  They are old enough to not need a heat lamp, but too young to mix with the laying hens.  They will be in an extra large dog crate in the hay barn.  Except for the laying hen chick.  She is smaller than the Rangers and could slip through through the bars.  She will be in an old rat cage in the house.  Since she is our son's chick, he is very happy she will be with us inside.

The two rabbits are normally kept in the aisle of the horse barn to take advantage of breezes that blow through (bunnies need shade in Florida).  Their cages will be moved into the tack room to keep them dry.  Frozen water bottles will help them stay cool.

All water troughs are filled for the livestock.  The cattle have three large troughs in their pasture alone.  We have filled every additional container with water to replenish all the animals.  We have other means of getting water, if we need it for the livestock.

There are a few people that may come to our farm, if they need to evacuate flood areas.  We should find out today.

God bless and keep all in this storm's path.  Already ten souls lost in the Bahamas.  Both interstates, I-75 and I-95 are backing up with evacuees  I don't know how many will still be traveling when this hits us.  Please don't take any chances in a low spot.  Get out of your car and get higher as soon as you can.  Take care of each other.