Critter Alert

From Annette via Larry

just a reminder about the unusual cold and critters.

* Wild birds need open water to fight hypothermia, consider some pans of warm water a few times a day, they'll be so grateful! I also put out bits of apple, raisins, etc., for the thrush type birds (robins, etc) that didn't leave our area. Studies show how due to climate change, migration patterns are becoming more mixed up, birds possibly confused into staying when normally they might have left...

* Dogs kept outside need a shelter not much larger than their own bodies, because when dog houses are too big, they cannot hold much heat. Consider some additional bedding, alfalfa hay works better than straw, as it doesn't flatten as much. Please consider bringing dogs and cats in, especially at night.

* Studies show that 80% of colic in horses in winter is cause they don't like drinking the cold water. I fill plastic jugs with hot water from tap and pour it over their water. (And during cold snap, this is done after first removing the ice.)

The critters will appreciate the effort !