Getting Ready for the Storm

Winter showed up fast this year, and when the forecast started calling for rough weather, we went straight into prep mode. In this post I walk through everything we did to get the animals ready, how we set up feed and water, and a few things that can help you stay ahead of a cold snap.If you would rather watch, here is the full video:

Why Winter Prep Matters

Cold weather can cause more problems than most people realize. Frozen water, wind pushing through gaps in a shelter, or animals burning too many calories trying to stay warm can turn into real issues. A little work before the storm makes the next few days a lot easier on you and the animals.

What We Did To Prepare

Shelter and Bedding

• We checked every pen and shelter for loose boards or spots where the wind could push through.
• We added fresh bedding so the animals had a warm, dry place to settle in.We made sure every door and gate was solid because heavy wind or snow can make weak hardware fail.

Water Setup

• We moved the water containers to protected areas to slow down freezing.
• We filled extra buckets so we had a backup ready to go.
• We double-checked that everything was clean and easy to reach once the snow started.

Feed and Hay

• We brought in plenty of hay so they could stay sheltered and still have enough to eat.
• We kept hay inside their shelters and put out extra feed since they burn more energy in cold weather.
• We made sure the animals had everything they needed without having to stand out in the wind too long.

Backup Plans

• We set aside tarps, tools, and anything else we might need if something failed during the storm.
• We checked equipment so we were not troubleshooting a frozen machine in the middle of bad weather.
• We made a simple plan for who handles what if the weather got worse while we were away.

Final Walk-Through

• Before the storm rolled in, we did one last walk around the whole property. A quick check like this always catches a few things you might miss in the moment.

Common Mistakes People Make

• Waiting until the last minute to start prep.
• Assuming water will not freeze as fast as it does.
• Thinking their shelter is fine without checking for drafts.
• Not having enough feed on hand when the roads get bad.

After the Storm

Once it clears up we will do another full check to make sure nothing broke, froze, or shifted in the wind. I will post an update if anything needs to be repaired or changed for next time.

If you want to save or print these steps in checklist form, just use the green download button below!

Thanks for Being Here

If you enjoy this kind of behind-the-scenes look at the farm, make sure to check out the video. Every like, comment, and share really helps us keep doing this. And if you want help building a simple website for your own homestead or small business, reach out through Homestead Commerce.