winter is comin!

Hey guys just had a quick question. Are barrels OK for winter time? Or do I need to whip up some new homes for my dogs. I live in north Ga it gets pretty cold here but rarely single digit tho. I was just gonna use barrels with straw and a mud flap over the opening but I wanted a few other opinions thanks guys

 

I use plastic barrels with straw here in TX. minus the mud flap, not sure how long that would last, as they would think itll be a chew toy. But, it dont get that cold here in my part of TX, maybe low 30;s high 20's? I would make sure the entrance holes are small but big enough for them to get in.

 

Good to -30

http://imageshack.us/a/img692/9423/012arm.jpg

NGK

 

i am in east TN and barrels are fine. it is usually around 20-30 at night, with the occasional teens or single digits. just make sure as already mentioned the entrance should be really no bigger than allows for them to get in or out, the straw should be new and dry, and make sure the barrel is pretty full of it.

i will post pics soon, but i recently took an extra barrel i had and cut it into 3 pieces horizontally. then i cut those pieces in one spot vertically to make a flexible ring. i wrapped that around the edge of the barrel over the entrance and secured with 4 screws and washers. it has proven to be an effective awning that helps block wind and keeps water out.

 

ok lets talk about whoes doing what to there feed to add extra fat?

 

i give my dogs 1 extra cup of food each, along with a spoonful of lard. they also get whatever left over oil, drippings, etc i have from the kitchen mixed with their feed, and hot water.

 

I'm in houston where can I find those barrels at and should i worry about if there was some kind of chemicals that can harm my dogs and also what's the average price range

 

Hey david I'm also in n ga where do you get your barrels at ?

 

Where at in ga are you located? And I get mine at my local feed store they are like 12 each I think or you could check Craigslist:

 

google 55 gallon plastic barrel houston and something should come up, look on craigslist, at local feed stores. and yes you always want to use barrels that are new, or were for food use only, DO NOT use any that had chemicals. ask whoever you buy them from to be sure.

 

You can also check at your local car wash they might have some that soap was stored in or something like that.

 

Cool I'm in chtasworth ga

 

I have a few feed stores I go to , never thought about askin them lol

 

not true JTC. you can get them refurnish.I’m in the packaging business and we sale barrels/drums. there new but therearound $40 each. now you can get one used from $5 to $20 each and that’srefurnish. there’s a couple of places in Houston that sell new and usedbarrels/drums and my company orders from. but some have minimums to buy. now there’sa couple of places in Dallas that sell barrels but their local guys. i havefound some a local car wash because there soup comes in in barrels.

 

not sure what wasn't true but I wouldn't buy used barrels that had chemicals stored in them. I get mine from a place that uses them for pickles. I take them to the car wash and once they dry they are just fine. The place charges 10 dollars per barrel, and will cut you a deal when you order 5 or more.

 

he said to buy new ones. but most chemicals that are harmful are used in metal drums not plastics. so a used one that is refurnised isnt going to harm your dog.

 

Craigslist is your friend in this situation.

 

i was suggesting new ones if he couldnt find them used, or used ones that did not hold chemicals. i can get new ones at the feed store, and used ones at a place that just sells barrels near me. sometimes they do store nasty stuff in plastic barrels, i learned the hard way a long time ago when i took one home made it into a house and the dog wouldnt go in it. i put my head inside and figured out why real quick. it smelled like chemicals. i have turned them away here locally because of chemical residue and smell. a refinished barrel would be fine as long as there was no trace of anything but i like to be cautious. id rather just know the barrels i have just had hot sauce in them like the ones i do now lol