Frozen Pickles and Doggycicles

Chilly weather can be handy when one is able to use their garage as a second fridge. I personally find it a wonderful place to store Christmas baking over the holiday season or the big stock pot of home made soup that doesn’t quite fit the fridge inside the house. However the weather has been TERRIBLY frigid recently. While making school lunches this morning I went to grab my Costco-sized jar of pickles (you know the one; it’s about the same size as a small car engine) and lo and behold… frozen solid.

Pickles aren’t the only things that freeze in minus 20. Water dishes for ones pets ice over in this glacial cold too. Thankfully my own furry friend is one of those small ‘grandma dogs’ complete with cheesy little sweater who lives inside. Until of course doing his business becomes absolutely necessary, which in this sub-zero weather he finishes quicker than The Flash from comic books. Wanna see him do it again?

But I digress…

We’ve had quite the cold snap recently. Briteland has many options available to assist your animal, large or small, with getting the hydration he needs. We have heated dog dishes, from 1 quart size to 3 quart, as well as a giant heated 16 gallon bucket for those of the equine persuasion. There are trough de-icers, heated automatic waterers and a handy three-in-one deicer. The three-in-one is either a floating or sinking stock tank de-icer. Its drain plug option allows the user to run the electrical cord through the bottom of the tank to reduce animal interference.

While I have your rapt attention, here are some handy tips I’ve found here and there to help guide you and your four legged friends through this winter wonderland…

DOGS & CATS

• Do not leave your dog outside unsupervised without a heated shelter. Just because your dog has fur, it does not mean he can withstand the cold. Though some dog breeds (like Huskies and Malamutes) are better suited to cold weather, all dogs should have access to a warm shelter at all times. Most dogs do best living indoors. However, if your dog must live outdoors, provide a heated dog bed and adequate shelter.
• Small dogs or those with little to no hair should have sweaters or jackets for protection against the cold. Some of the most common breeds that will benefit from protective clothing are Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, Whippets, and Greyhounds. Remember, not all dogs will tolerate clothing, so don’t push it – just make an extra effort to keep them out of the cold. Keep food and water in a place where they will not freeze – preferably inside! A heated dog bowl can help outdoor water and food from freezing.
• Watch those feet! If your dog will tolerate it, consider foot protection booties. This can keep your dog’s feet safe from harm, such as dangerous objects hidden by the snow or salt on roads and walk ways. Additionally, booties can help give your dog a better grip and prevent slipping on ice.
• When walking your dog near ice, use extra caution to avoid slipping. Always keep a close watch your dog and be sure he says nearby. Do not allow your dog to run across frozen bodies of water – he could fall into icy water if the ice is too thin!
• If you use an indoor or outdoor fireplace, always keep a safety guard around it in order to protect your dog away from the flames and soot. Do not leave a fire unattended.
• If your dog is in the cold and begins excessively shaking or shivering, get him back to warm shelter as soon as possible. If you suspect your dog is developing hypothermia, bring him to a vet immediately.
• Avoid letting your dog eat snow or anything else on the ground. Dangerous objects or chemicals may be hidden in the snow. Also, eating snow this can cause stomach upset and even hypothermia. Always keep fresh room temperature water available at all times.
• Beware antifreeze – It is highly toxic! Antifreeze tastes good to pets, but even a small amount can kill your dog. Though exposure to antifreeze is a risk all year, the risk is especially high during the colder months. Keep your eyes on your dog at all times – and keep antifreeze out of reach. If you suspect your dog has had ANY exposure to antifreeze, get to a vet right away.
• In general, be sure to contact your vet if any abnormal behavior or signs of illness appear. Also, have a look at the cold weather checklist from the Veterinary Medicine guide.

Did you know that your dog’s normal temperature is a few degrees higher than yours? Winter is the perfect time of year to snuggle up – so have fun and stay warm!

CATTLE

Cattle are used to being outside in the winter, but their systems can become stressed by wet and cold conditions, leading to health problems and weight loss. Adverse conditions demand that cattle producers keep a close watch on their animals for signs of winter stress.

If cattle are getting cold, they’re going to be crowding together. They’ll probably kind of hump their backs, and put their backs against the wind, shivering. They may also look kind of gaunt because they’re losing some body heat. And if that happens over a period of time, they’ll lose body condition and really get thin, too.

Other signs of weather stress on cattle may include not eating or drinking as much water, lethargy, coughing, runny noses and eyes, and loose stools. Also watch for foot and leg injuries because the animals are walking on rough, frozen ground.

If you see these things in your cattle, make some changes in their environment.

If they’re outside and you do have some natural cover for them with the wind break, put out extra straw for them to lie on. It’s important that they have some dry bedding, have some insulation between themselves and the cold ground, If you’ve got a shelter for them, then make sure that shelter is adequate, putting down some bedding down on the floor would be good precautions for when the weather does get bad and they need to get out of it.

Cattle expend more energy to keep warm so higher quality feeds are recommended in the winter. Also make sure there is a clean, constant water source for the animals. If water isn’t there, they won’t eat.

Every time you do chores, observe your animals for signs of sickness or injury and be prepared to call your veterinarian if symptoms persist or become worse.

HORSES

And now for the low-down on de-icers.  De-icers come in two styles: floating and submersible.

Floating models are created for buoyancy. You place them in a stock tank and they keep the surface water thawed. Floating de-icers may or may not be completely enclosed, and often include styrofoam to keep them afloat. They are controlled by a thermostat and include an automatic shut-off and turn-on feature. If you use a floating de-icer, make sure your horse does not play with it or chew the cord.

Another type of de-icer is not buoyant. They are submersible and safely sit at the bottom of the water tank or are securely clipped to the side of the tank. They prevent ice build-up in the tank and are designed so that a playful horse will not remove it from the water. The heating elements are protected from the horse. These also have automatic thermostats so that the water stays at a constant temperature.

Some devises function as both a floating and a submersible unit. Out of the box, the Ultimate Stock Tank De-Icer functions as a floating de-icer. With the push of a button, it converts to a submersible unit. It also includes a protective cage, cord clip, and cord protector.

If your stock tank de-icer is not thermostatically regulated to automatically turn on/off as temperatures plummet or rise, you can get a thermostatically-controlled outlet. These inexpensive units save you the time and trouble of constantly monitoring outdoor winter temperatures. They plug right into your standard outlet, and then you simply plug your de-icer into this outlet. It will power on your de-icer when the temperature drops low enough.

Heated buckets or hoses

If your horse has a bucket in his stall or turnout area, a great way to keep the water thawed and palatable is to provide a heated bucket. With a heated bucket, a reliable water source is never far away.

When you need to capture water from an outdoor spigot, but it’s too cold to have a standard garden hose attached all winter, try a thermostatically-controlled heated hose or a hose heater. The heated hose prevents standing water inside the hose from freezing and thus causing damage. They are a great way to transport water to stock tanks all winter long. The hose heater is used with your existing garden hose, and it simply warms your hose while in storage, so standing water inside the hose won’t freeze between uses.

Keeping water thawed is essential for your horse’s health. It may make the difference between good health and dehydration.

In the winter months, horses tend to drink less water than they need, but it is still a vital health requirement. Horses will drink warm water, which is difficult to provide in the winter, especially if you live where the outside temperature goes below freezing for any period of time. It is essential to keep fresh water available at all times – that means high quality, clean, and unfrozen. In fact, the best way to keep your horse drinking enough water in the winter is to make sure it is ice free, even if the water is outside. You can easily do this with a stock tank de-icer.

A stock tank de-icer can be a time saver for any barn. No more hauling warm water to the trough, no more breaking up the ice on top so your horse can get to this valuable resource.

Clean tank tip

One tip to keep troughs and buckets clean without dumping them on the ground, creating ice and dangerous footing for your animals is to use a small net to skim the debris from the top of the water. Keep the net on a hook by the source of the water. Although it will likely freeze, once you place it in the water the next time, it will thaw out enough to use.

Come on down to Briteland today and check out the handy ways to keep your animal friends safe, warm and hydrated throughout the wintery months!

Tis the Season to Ponder the Season

The Christmas season is overflowing with sentiment. For some it reads like a tacky greeting card and for others it is a meaningful time. ‘The’ time of year.

The holidays mean different things to different folks. There are those of us who look forward to being together with family and those for whom it’s a behemoth-sized test of our patience. The kids hooting with excitement as they gallop to the tree to see what Santa has brought – great!  A couple days off work – perfect! Grandpa repeating the same old stories and Auntie bringing the jellied salad we’ve all secretly hated for the last 23 years – sigh. Yet somehow the holiday ups wouldn’t be the same without the holiday downs.

It’s hard not to sound cliché when one ponders that maybe it’s a good time to count our blessings. To look for the good in things the best we can. And certainly not to discount the many lonely individuals; the ones who’ve recently lost a loved one, and the ones for whom Christmas is the hardest time of year for deeply personal reasons. Perhaps sharing a plate of cookies with the neighbor or a smile with a passerby will be just the thing they needed to help them face the holiday with a renewed sense of hope in humankind.

We here at Briteland want to extend our heartfelt thanks for your patronage over the years. We wish for you, your family and friends much peace and happiness this season. May you find a moment or two to reflect; put your feet up, take a breath and enjoy the gifts of life.  And may Auntie change up her jellied salad to something just a skootch more palatable. (One can always dream.)

The Snowman Cometh

Break out the winter woolies; snow is coming!  The weatherman says so, and ‘weather or not’ he’s accurate in his predictions, why face flurries unprepared.  We get ready for winter in many ways – one of which is to pull out the cozy linens from storage – from Grandma’s hand quilted creations to sheepskin throws.  Blankets are always welcome friends during a cold snap. A blanket of SNOW covering our vehicles when we’re trying to get out the door in a hurry – not so much!

This is where the Sno Pro Commercial Grade Snow Broom, available here at Briteland, comes in VERY handy. And its benefits far outweigh the lightness of its stature!

The Sno Pro snow remover weighs less than half the weight of a broom. It has a non-abrasive foam head that will not harm paint. It is of commercial quality and made of industrial grade polyethylene foam that endures harsh conditions and hundreds of vehicle clearings. Its sturdy four-foot handle is extremely durable and ensures maximum reach on full size vehicles. The Sno Pro is approved for use on Class A finishes and has received the highest ratings possible from an independent testing lab for non-abrasiveness, freeze resistance and durability. There are many lengths and types of handles one can use with the Sno Pro, making for either extended reach or easy stowing. This handy remover is also great for taking care of snow on the roof overhangs of your home or shed.

If you’re like most, the fresh look of snow over the landscape is pretty to behold – and that’s about where it ends. The thought of excavating vehicles out of a mammoth drift is enough to want to pull the covers over your head and call it a day. Taking a Sno Pro for a spin may just warm you to the idea that it’s not quite so bad out there. In fact I tried one not too long ago and found it so light and efficient – I was truly impressed. So much so that I can’t wait to have my kids test one. YOU know, strictly for research and advertising purposes.  Looks like they’ll need bigger Christmas stockings this year …Visit us at www.briteland.com!

Pass on the Salt?

PASS ON THE SALT?

Here in Vernon,BC, we woke up to a nice little skiff of snow over the landscape. Sure it gives a wintery fresh look to things but it can cause all kinds of icy trouble.  (Ask me; I live at the bottom of a hill and narrowly escaped being rear-ended at the stop sign as I puttered off to work this morning.)

The season’s first snowfall prompted us here at Briteland to fill you in on the “who’s who” of ice melting products. There are several types of ice melter most commonly used.  We recommend using a blend of these elements for premium results.

Comparing Ice Melter temperature ranges

Calcium Chloride (-31^oC/-25^o F)

Magnesium Chloride (-15^oC/5^o F)

Sodium Acetate (-15^oC/5^o F)

Calcium Magnesium Acetate (-15^oC/5^o F)

Potassium Chloride (-11 ^oC/12^o F)

Urea (-9 ^oC/15^o F)

Sodium Chloride (-6 ^o to -5 ^oC/20-22^o F)

Various Blends (usually -6 ^o to -5 ^oC/20-22^o F)

Some options for you to consider;

 * Rock salt  (Sodium Chloride)

The most commonly used ice melter. It is inexpensive and melts ice as low as -6° celcius.  

Removing ice so that no one goes slipping and sliding usually means spreading salt. De-icing salts are a vital part of winter driveway care, porch and step safety, and road maintenance. However, salt is a bully; it can do all sorts of damage to concrete, soil, and pets’ feet. It can be harmful to most trees and shrubs along the roadside or next to porches or driveways. It’s amazing how much salt we bring home on our car every time we go to the grocery store or to work. This salt has to go somewhere. Just try to make sure it doesn’t end up in your flower gardens or on your shrubs.

Unfortunately, we have no control over the amount of salt used on the streets or how much salt gets plowed onto the roadways near our homes. We can, however, control how much salt or ice melter we use on our sidewalks and driveways. All plants are affected by salt but some plants are more sensitive to salt damage than others.  The good news is most de-icing salts are water soluble and salt damage can be minimized in the spring by flushing the salt away before it has a chance to damage plants. Gypsum (Calcium Sulphate) applied in the Spring to where salt was scattered helps to mitigate the damaging effects.

 * Calcium Chloride

Calcium Chloride may be the fastest, most effective ice melt available. Premium-priced, similar to magnesium chloride, but pound-for-pound, melts twice as much ice. It comes in pellet or flake form and is hygroscopic; drawing moisture from the air and creating heat to accelerate the melting process.

 * Environmelt 

• Specially enhanced with CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate), which guards against concrete and corrosion damage by forming a protective coating on the surface.
• Less harmful to vegetation. Reduces the amount of damage to grass, trees, or other vegetation.
• Reducing damage to wood and concrete makes this one of the safest deicing products.
• Easy to use, no protective clothing necessary.
• Safer for children and pets.
• Nature’s own ingredients are combined to cause minimal harm to vegetation and plant life.
• Designed to reduce unsightly tracking or residue problems when used correctly.
• Using this blend is helpful as it covers many temperature ranges.

 * Landscaper’s Choice

• Ice Melter with CMA (Calcium Magnesium Acetate) to guard against concrete corrosion damage.
• Even granulation for accurate spreading.
• Green coloured for visual application.
• Professional ice melter designed by Landscapers, for Landscapers.
• Pre-application capability prior to snow fall.
• Specially formulated to give you optimum performance while aiming to protect your landscaping and vegetation, concrete, floor coverings, footwear, vehicles, equipment, and most importantly, your employees and visitors.

 * 46-0-0 Nitrogen, or Urea, is a fertilizer that is also a common ice melter. It is often perceived as a safer product to use around vegetation, children, pets and is environmentally safe. It needs to be used at a slightly higher rate of application, and melts as low as -9° C. Urea does not contain chlorides, so it is less corrosive and safer for use on concrete containing rebar and around steel structures.

 * EcoTraction

Are you really looking at melting ice or do you want traction? EcoTraction is an all natural volcanic mineral that grips into ice.  It prevents slips and falls and is non-corrosive to all concrete and stone. It’s safe for your pets too! The soil LOVES EcoTraction … therefore your plants will too!

 * Granite Grit

Normally fed to chickens to help with their digestive tracts, this multi-purpose grit can also be used to create traction on icy surfaces.

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Important facts:

Do not use fertilizer, salt, or ice melter on any concrete less than 1 year old. Use sand, kitty litter, or sawdust to control ice on new concrete. You can also mix sand, kitty litter, or sawdust with other ice melters on older concrete to help increase their effectiveness and increase traction. Be sure you have a good door mat by each door because the sand, kitty litter, and sawdust tend to stick to your shoes and will track inside the house each time you walk through the door.

When Snow is a Four Letter Word

I’m afraid I’m not the best choice to be writing about snow and extolling the virtues of shoveling it. For most, the first hint of the white stuff brings to mind icy roadways, frozen engine blocks, cowering bedding plants and purple toes. Not to mention digging out one’s car from its snowy tomb or tunneling a pathway to the front door. OH the back-breaking work. Some winters can be cruel, too, having us rinse and repeat the whole painful exercise more than once a day.

For ME, however, snow is – kids stuff.  Romantic imagery, the wonders of nature, skiing Silverstar Mountain and memories of Christmases in Saskatchewan.  My dad building me an igloo. Mom and little brother helping pat together a snowman. Afterwards, the smell of wet mittens on the heat register while we snuffled red noses into mugs of creamy hot chocolate. You know – the good things.  In the lane, snow is glistening; in the meadow we can build a snowman while we hear the snow crunch, see the kids bunch. So please have snow, and mistletoe, and presents on the tree …

But I digress.  (I can see you eye-rollers from here.)

There’s definitely a hard side to winter and the necessity of a good strong snow shovel. Briteland has a great selection in all shapes and sizes, depending on the sturdiness of your back or the width of your driveway.  There are industrial quality shovels, extra wide pushers, scoopers, ergonomically correct and double handled. They’re made of steel or plastic and have wooden or steel handles. You name it; we have it – for the ‘boy scout’ in your home who wants to help out the neighbor or for people with day jobs (hello, everyone) who need a functional way to clear away snow in a timely and efficient manner.

Be prepared! Come check out the array of shovels here at Briteland before the snow falls. Because sure the weather outside can be frightful. But the fire is so delightful. And I know once my driveway is cleared away, if I’ve no place to go, I’ll be tucked inside dreaming of a white Christmas. (Sorry, couldn’t help myself. I blame Mom.)

 

Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner

Did you know that there are more chickens in the world than people? That a flock of crows is called a ‘murder’? Or that hummingbirds are the only birds who can fly backwards? It’s amazing what one can find when researching questions regarding our avian friends.

The cold weather is now upon us and Briteland has received many queries as to how & what one should feed the birds over the winter. From quails to chickadees, there are varying answers, depending on the species of bird.

Frigid temperatures are extremely challenging for winter resident birds. They no longer have access to the food sources that sustained them all summer and into early fall, and even shelter can become difficult to find. In warm weather, birds rely heavily on insects for food. But insects are dormant in winter months, when birds need even more calories to keep their bodies warm. If the temperature dips below freezing, water also disappears, giving way to ice. It’s at this time of year that birds need our help the most.

High-calorie and high-fat foods like oil sunflowers, suet and peanuts are all excellent options to place in bird feeders.  Well-meaning bird enthusiasts are cautioned against putting out bread for winter birds. Bread actually hinders avian digestion and if it’s fed to birds often enough, it can be fatal. Remember, also, that it’s essential to clean bird feeders weekly to avoid the buildup of mold and prevent the spread of disease.

Briteland carries a multitude of supplies for feeding our feathered friends … from seed to feeders. And no, you aren’t committed to buying a 50 lb bag of sunflower seeds!  We sell small quantities too… in handy portions just right for offering winged dinner guests a smorgasbord of choices. Check out our selection of wild bird seed, canary blend, sunflower seeds, nyger seeds, chick scratch for quails, seed bells and hanging suet baskets.

Enjoy bird watching for little more than ‘tuppence a bag’ … and know that you’re being a good neighbor of the environment by keeping these creatures well fed at a time when they need it most.

Here’s an excellent link on feeding birds through the chilly months – care of Hinterland Who’s Who.  http://www.hww.ca/hww2.asp?id=224#sid48

And … for more than a gaggle-load of fascinating bird facts, check out http://www.andreawansbury.com/facts.html

Unwanted Mouseguests

 

Well it’s about that time. The weather is nippy, we’re digging out scarves and mitts; there’s frost on the windshield in the morning. Perfect opportunity for unwanted mouseguests to start booking their winter vacation getaway. With us. In our toasty home. Oh drat. WE, however, are not feeling quite so neighborly.

To some of us those darned little twitchy-whiskered faces can be scream inducing and we’re most happy to plan any sort of attack. Heck – enlist troops – call for backup!  We’re happy to see the critters meet their demise, as long as the job is done and they’ve stopped leaving presents in our flour bin. (And we wondered why friends stopped asking for our cookie recipes.)

To others, well, we most certainly don’t want them in our house, but we don’t want to have to clean up their remains either. 

Cue the Rat Zapper, available at Briteland.

The Rat Zapper Classic uses 4 AA batteries (not included) and sophisticated electronic technology to deliver a deadly shock to mice and rats. Approximately 30 kills with AA alkaline batteries. Ideal for use at home, in the garage, at the office or anywhere else you find infestations.

Simply bait with ordinary pet food.  Mice and rats enter the chamber and are dispatched humanely with a quick but powerful jolt of electricity.  No blood, no gore, no mess!  And equally as important – no poisons to endanger your pets or the environment. Eco-friendly all the way.  The red light tells you when you have a catch.  You don’t even need to look at the rodent; simply tip the Rat Zapper and let the dead rodent slide into the trash can.  It’s easy to use, and reusable.

Winter mouseguests not exactly your cup of tea?  Perhaps give the Rat Zapper a whirl … we think you’ll love it … unless of course the thought of knitting dozens of tiny little Christmas stockings is a pleasant one!