A quick Pre-Thanksgiving update!

Winter is rapidly approaching,  and we are hustling to prepare everything for its onslaught.  The back wall is finished, complete with new windows and insulation.  The old stalls in the northwest corner are gone and the two windows have been replaced, as well as the framing and insulation.  The corner is ready for the new stalls that will be there.  In the front (southwest) corner, 2 small windows have been added as well.  The entire barn is now insulated, minus the ceiling and a portion of the west wall.  It should be MUCH easier to maintain a temperature of 40-50 degrees in there without too much need for the electric heaters! 

Meanwhile, in the back yard, a new dog house is up and the dogs really seem to like it!  It measures 8 ft. x 8 ft., so there is plenty of room for them to all bunker overnight.  We add equine pellets and straw to keep it as warm and dry as possible.  This much we know…after nightfall, most of them disappear into it!  On an added note, this time of year we see a lot of TV ads, social media posts, etc, that insist that it is too cold outside for pets.  In many cases I would agree.  I tend to disagree though with a husky.  This much I can tell you…If we put them in the barn stalls overnight when it’s cold, they HATE it!  Even our house dogs start the night inside and want to go outside by late evening.  Don’t get me wrong…they need shelter from the wind and elements when outside.  But the cold IS preferred!

Over the years, I have (unscientifically) developed a rule of thumb for temperatures and huskies.  I base this simply on observation, from watching behaviors for the past 10 years.  It works like this:

If the air temperature is below 40 deg F, add 40 degrees for the husky equivalent.  (Example:  If the air temp is 20 deg. F, it’s like 60 deg to a husky.  0 deg. F is like 40 deg to a husky, and -20 deg F is like +20 to a husky.)

If the air temp is 40 deg F or higher, add 25 degrees for the husky equivalent.  (Example:  If the air temp is 50 deg. F, it’s like 75 deg to a husky.  60 deg F is like 85 to a husky, 90 deg F is like 115 deg to a husky.)

Again, this is my opinion, based on my own observations.  There is no science or official studies to verify this!  It should also be noted that huskies can and will adapt somewhat to their environment.  If a husky spends most of its time indoors, and get used to that steady climate, they may not handle the extremes as well as others.  The more exposure to heat and cold they get the better they can adapt to it.

Now that Josie and Ziva’s litters are all in their new homes, we move forward to the current and anticipated litters.  Currently, we have 2 litters.  A litter of 2 from Ice, and a litter of 8 from Rose.  Both of Ice’s pups are sold and will go to their new homes in early December.  All but 2 of Rose’s are sold and they will go home the weekend before Christmas. We do still have 2 red and white females available from that litter!  Again, they will go home just in time for Christmas!

We expect Vienna to have her litter at about any time now.  She is actually due on Thanksgiving Day.  Her pups would go home in late January.  After Vienna, we expect Willow’s litter to arrive around Christmas.  Stay Tuned! 

We are keeping one of Rose’s red females, as we are retiring her.  We haven’t yet decided on a name, but have tossed around Grace and Dutchess.

Mylah is the latest of our dogs to go to Joe and Lori’s “Retirement Home”.   As of now, both River and Kallen should also be heading there soon.  Rose will not likely be going there after she retires.  She may stay with us or be re-homed elsewhere.  More details on Rose in a future blog.  She has been a great mama over the years!  After Rose, our next oldest Husky is Nadia, at 6 years old.  It’s hard to believe!  I remember when she was born.  She was the first husky of our own that we kept.  She was a runt and we had to nurse her to health.  She turned out to be a great husky!  Still going strong, we call her the little princess.  She is one of those, as mentioned above, that has adapted to the inside life.  Her tolerance for hot and cold is much different than the others.  She just loves her spot on the couch!

One final note:  We here at Frosty Meadow Husky Farm wish a very Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!  We are very blessed and thankful for everyone that reads this (and many that don’t) as we’ve grown over the years.  We wouldn’t be here without you!  Our hope is that you all have many years of enjoyment from the huskies!!