Trumpeter Swan Farm CSA News - Winter Season, Week 32&33, Delivery January 11 thru January 13
---- Handling the Cold ----
As we keep working on being a year-round CSA, this January cold snap gives us a chance to see how we handle cold. The Chicken Barn has been doing fine. We finished insulating last spring and added bunch of straw in the hay loft this fall. Now the inside temps bottom out around 15 degrees. This has eliminated the need to pick eggs or refresh water every 2 hours. Now we can do it every 4 or 6 hours like normal, even if its below zero outside.
The quail house is okay as well. It is insulated and has a southern exposure. So with some electric heat, it is staying above freezing with no frozen water to deal with. They have finished molting, and they are happy. They should start laying again when the longer days of spring arrive.
On the other hand, our test hydroponic system needs some more tuning - it is getting too cold. Even with shelter from wind, and double plastic, nothing is growing - just sitting there. So we are adding another heater to see if daytime temps in the 50's and 60's will allow us to grow in January. We may have to wait for February, with its moderating temperatures and higher sun angle, to see any production.
Thanks,
Phil.
